Poss Apostolou
Managing Director
Richard Stirling is a global expert on government, digital transformation, and data policy. As co-founder and CEO of Oxford Insights, he leads the world’s premier consultancy for AI readiness and digital transformation in the public sector, advising governments and organisations across Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
Richard created the Government AI Readiness Index, the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for government AI preparedness, published annually since 2017. His research portfolio includes the Responsible AI Index 2022 and critical work on racial bias in AI systems. As Chair of the International Open Data Charter (2017-2022), he led a movement spanning over 70 governments committed to making government data open by default, and architected the UK’s revolutionary open data programme.
Richard sits on multiple international expert groups, including UNESCO AI Ethics Experts Without Borders and the UNDP expert group on data for policy, and advises the Global Partnership for AI. His teams work with major institutions including the UN, World Bank, OECD, and NHS, delivering data space initiatives and data regulation projects across diverse global markets.
His UK government experience includes creating the What Works Network at the Cabinet Office, affecting £200bn of public spending, and serving as Private Secretary to the Minister for the Cabinet Office with regular contact to the Prime Minister’s office. Richard holds degrees in law and mathematics from the University of Cambridge.
Contact: richard@oxfordinsights.com
