This problem-solving instinct has shaped his 20-year career, pushing him to develop smarter, more efficient ways for firms to manage their market data. Rather than accepting complexity as a given, he’s always looking for ways to simplify, streamline and turn challenges into opportunities – helping clients take control instead of being controlled by their data.
Tell us about your current role:
I wear two hats. Over a decade ago, I co-founded Xpansion, which is now part of TRG Screen. Today, I’m the Product Manager for the former Xpansion suite – particularly Xmon, a platform designed to give firms visibility into their reference data usage and costs.
I also lead AI initiatives across the company, ensuring that AI is applied in ways that genuinely improve efficiency, whether that’s by automating processes, speeding up insights or helping clients make better decisions.
A big part of my work is to help firms to manage market data costs proactively. Too many firms wait for invoices to arrive and only then realize there was a cost spike or overspend. By then, it’s too late. My goal is to help them stay ahead of problems rather than constantly reacting to them.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like solving problems, but more than that, I enjoy uncovering things people didn’t even realize were problems. Some of the best moments are when a client says, “I had no idea that was happening.” Market data is a significant expense and is full of hidden inefficiencies, and helping businesses take control of their costs – rather than being controlled by them – is really rewarding.
I also enjoy building long-term partnerships and working with different teams and clients. Many of the clients I work with don’t just need a product; they need someone to guide them through complexity of market data management. That’s where I find the most meaning in my work.
No two days are the same, and I get to be involved in everything from product development to AI strategy to hands-on problem solving with clients.
AI is everywhere. How are you using it to make a real impact?
AI is only useful if it solves clearly identified problems. One of the biggest misconceptions is that AI is this magical thing that will replace human expertise. The reality is, AI is most effective when it enhances decision-making, speeds up processes and removes friction, rather than trying to replace people.
We’re using AI in several ways. On the client side, we’re automating time-consuming tasks like processing invoices and contracts. It’s work that used to take hours but can now be done in seconds. We’re also integrating generative AI into our tools, so instead of digging through reports, users can ask a question in natural language and get an instant, personalized answer.
The goal isn’t to replace people, it’s to remove the manual, repetitive work so both our team and our clients can focus on what really matters."
But we’re not just embedding AI into our products, we’re also looking at how we can use it internally to enhance our own operations and client service delivery. Whether it’s streamlining workflows, improving data analysis or making routine support more efficient, AI is helping us work smarter and focus more time on high-value problem solving.
The goal isn’t to replace people, it’s to remove the manual, repetitive work so both our team and our clients can focus on what really matters.
Xmon Insights has played a big role in helping clients. What was the idea behind it, and how has it evolved?
Xmon Insights started as a way to help clients navigate the vast amount of data generated by Xmon solution. An expert team provides guidance to interpret their data, identify cost-saving opportunities and refine their reference data strategies over time. What began as an add-on service is now an integral part of the solution, delivering continuous analysis and strategic support.
I’ve recently transitioned leadership of this service to our Belfast team. When you build something from scratch, it’s always a bit bittersweet to step away. But I also feel proud. It’s rewarding to see it take on a life of its own, and I know the team has the expertise and vision to keep it while I focus on other product innovations.
What’s something people might not know about you?
I’m completely self-taught in a lot of things. Whether it’s golf, table tennis or playing guitar, I enjoy figuring things out through trial and error rather than formal lessons. That’s the same approach I take at work. I prefer to experiment and test ideas, then refine them based on real feedback and keep improving, rather than just following a predefined process.
I love exploring new concepts and skills. I believe curiosity keeps things interesting and helps drive innovation – it’s when the magic happens!
How do you spend time outside of work?
I spend a lot of time with my two children – my 8-year-old daughter and my 13-year-old son. Laura is really into crafts, so we work on creative projects together, while Louis and I enjoy playing pitch and putt golf. It’s a great way to spend time together and a nice contrast to the fast-paced, analytical work I do during the day.
Stay tuned for more expert insights in our Meet the Expert series, where we showcase the incredible talent behind TRG Screen and their contributions to the financial services industry.
