Lloyds Banking Group has appointed its first ever chief data and AI officer as part of plans to strengthen its technology expertise and leadership as the group continues to roll out artificial intelligence to enhance products and services for customers as well as a major staff training programme.
Sameer Gupta will join Lloyds in June from DBS Bank, where he is chief analytics officer; he will report directly to group chief operating officer Ron van Kemenade.
Gupta brings more than 30 years’ experience leading large‑scale technology and AI‑driven transformation across financial services organisations.
In his new role, Sameer will lead the next phase of Lloyds Banking Group’s AI strategy, with responsibility for how the technology is further scaled across the business. This includes managing how AI is adopted to improve customer experiences, strengthen fraud prevention and support colleagues with better tools and insights so they can help customers more effectively, while also delivering against the Group’s ambitious plans for AI to create long‑term value and growth.
Lloyds has previously employed executives in separate data and analytics leadership positions. Former group chief data and analytics officer Ranil Boteju left in March to join the Commonwealth Bank of Australia as chief AI officer, he had succeeded Barry Panayi, who held the title of chief data officer until March 2021.
Meanwhile, Dr Rohit Dhawan was appointed group director of AI and advanced analytics in August 2024 to lead the AI Centre of Excellence. It is understood he will now report into Gupta.
Earlier this year, the group committed to rolling out AI training to its entire workforce as part of a £4bn digital transformation push, expanding on the current regime which has seen training provided only for a select group of senior leaders and customer agents.
All 67,000 members of staff, no matter their role or level, will be trained over the next 12 months, with the aim of achieving 100% AI literacy.
A key part of Gupta’s remit will be ensuring AI is used responsibly, transparently and securely, with strong governance and oversight to meet regulatory and ethical standards.
The appointment comes at a time when Lloyds Banking Group is expanding the practical use of AI to support customers, including the launch of an AI‑powered financial assistant, designed to give millions of customers more control over their finances by providing personalised, round the clock support.
Its most recent advertising campaign (pictured), running under the “Bank on Lloyds” brand platform, was created by bespoke agency team Publicis Go.
Ron van Kemenade said: “Sameer brings deep expertise and a strong track record of applying AI in ways that deliver real, practical benefits for customers. As we continue to invest in technology to better support households and businesses across the UK, his leadership will help ensure AI enhances customer experiences while maintaining the trust that is fundamental to banking.”
Gupta added: “Lloyds Banking Group has a clear purpose and a strong focus on supporting customers, and I’m excited to join at a time when AI can make such a positive difference. Used well, AI can help customers get the right support more quickly, protect them from fraud and make managing money simpler and more intuitive. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the Group to apply AI in a responsible way that delivers better outcomes for customers and communities.”
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