Michael Young

Co-Founder

United Kingdom26 yrs 2 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchAI Enabled

Key Highlights

20 years of executive & senior-level Data & AI recruitment
4,000+ hires across the UK, Europe, US
Deep expertise in Data, Analytics, AI, Engineering & Strategy

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Data and AI recruitment expert with extensive experience in building high-impact teams across various industries.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Talent AcquisitionData ScienceArtificial Intelligence (ai)Leadership

Other Skills

Talent ManagementNiche Talent AcquisitionTalent PipeliningTalentIT RecruitmentStrategic HiringHiring PracticesHiringMass HiringPodcastingCampaign ManagementCustomer InsightWeb AnalyticsPredictive ModelingDatabase Marketing

About

With 20 years of experience in high-impact recruitment, I’ve had the privilege of helping organisations across the UK, Europe and the US build and scale world-class Data, Analytics and AI teams. Specialising in retained executive search and strategic team builds, the MBN team and I have delivered over 3,000 successful hires – from AI Leaders, CDOs and VPs to senior leadership across Data Science, Engineering, MLOps and Applied AI. I work in close partnership with forward-thinking businesses to align hiring with long-term goals – ensuring every placement adds real, measurable value. My approach is consultative, insight-driven, and focused on solving the leadership and capability gaps that hold data-driven transformation back. Whether scaling a founding team, hiring a Director of AI, Chief Data Officer, or building a centre of excellence, I bring deep market knowledge, global reach, and a network of exceptional talent. ⸻ Key Highlights: • 20 years of executive & senior-level Data & AI recruitment • 4,000+ hires across the UK, Europe, US • Retained search specialist for high-growth and enterprise clients • Deep expertise in Data, Analytics, AI, Engineering & Strategy • Host of A Class Act – sharing leadership insights from the frontlines of transformation If you’re hiring data leaders, building AI capability or planning your next career move, I’d love to connect. 📩 michael@mbnsolutions.com 🌐 www.mbnsolutions.com

Experience

A class act - the podcast

Host & Founder – A Class Act: Navigating the AI Landscape

Jun 2025 – Present · 9 mos · Remote · Remote

Host and founder of A Class Act: Navigating the AI Landscape, a insights-driven podcast exploring the evolving world of artificial intelligence, data leadership and organisational impact in 2026 and beyond.
Curating conversations with leaders shaping AI strategy, ethics, transformation and talent development.
Providing practical thinking for executives navigating AI adoption, risk and opportunity.
Amplifying stories, frameworks and lessons that elevate how organisations build responsible, impactful AI capability.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)PodcastingLeadership

Mcr pathways

Youth Mentor

May 2024 – Present · 1 yr 10 mos · Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom · Remote

The data lab - innovation centre

Ambassador

Nov 2020 – Mar 2023 · 2 yrs 4 mos

The Data Lab is Scotland's innovation centre for developing data and AI, helping Scotland to maximise value from data and to lead the world to a data-powered future – from industry, academia and the wider community. I am pleased to be part of its Ambassador programme which is designed to build awareness of The Data Lab through word of mouth, as well as challenging the team with queries and suggestions to help improve its services and impact.

Scottish blockchain meetup

Co-Founder

Apr 2017 – Apr 2023 · 6 yrs · Scotland

Blockchain is a hot topic, fast gaining column inches as an enabler of business and customer transformation alike. Scottish Blockchain Meetup is open to everyone involved in the tech / business communities and those that aren’t. Experts, amateurs, miners, critics, whoever. If you are interred, you’re welcome.
We're an inclusive bunch - come along and find out what's going on in the Scottish scene from those that are at the heart of the activity.
Sign up here - http://meetu.ps/c/1GrNC/j1fqd/a

Scotland data science & technology meetup

Founder

May 2015 – Present · 10 yrs 10 mos · Scotland

This is a group for anyone interested in Data Science, Big Data, Analytics and Technology trends. We started this group to build a community to discuss general insights into the market and share personal experiences of working and operating in this area. We hope to cover skills shortages, technological advancements and organisational implications in Data Science and Technology during our series of meetups. All skill levels are welcome.
Sign up here - http://meetu.ps/c/2wQhM/j1fqd/a

Mbn solutions

Founder - High Level Data Talent Expert & Executive Recruiter

Jan 2007 – Present · 19 yrs 2 mos · Glasgow / London

Spearheaded the successful placement of over 4, 000 senior professionals in data science, analytics, and AI roles globally, contributing to the growth of Fortune 500 companies and fast-scaling startups.
Led talent acquisition strategies that ensured long-term success and stability, with a strong track record of placing candidates who remain valuable assets to their organisations over the years, ensuring long-term success for both clients and candidates.
Developed tailored recruitment strategies for C-suite, VP, and director-level roles in data-driven sectors, helping organisations stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.
Built and nurtured a vast network of top-tier data professionals, leveraging personal relationships, cutting-edge tools, and deep industry insight to deliver high-quality results.
Provided ongoing talent advisory services to clients, helping them navigate the complexities of data-driven leadership hiring in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Talent ManagementNiche Talent AcquisitionTalent PipeliningTalentIT RecruitmentData Science+6