Enterprise AI - Digital Transformation - Board Advisory

Dion Thorpe

Translating emerging technologies into governed enterprise capability, measurable value, and scalable adoption.

Enterprise AI and Digital Transformation Executive with 20-plus years of global experience across regulated, asset-intensive, and multi-country institutions. Trusted CEO and board advisor, building internal Digital and AI capability and embedding governance across cybersecurity, data, risk, and enterprise portfolio management.

Riyadh - Saudi Arabia Australian, KSA - Premium Resident LinkedIn
Measurable Impact

Value delivered.

$0.0M
Annual fuel cost reduction through AI-driven vessel performance optimisation at Bahri
$0.0M
First-year savings through vendor rationalisation and commercial renegotiation
$0.0M
Annual transformation budgets managed across complex international vendor ecosystems
0M+
Active users on the Singtel-AIA StepUp digital platform, led from concept
0+
Global digital professionals scaled for transformation
0M+
Customers served across 18 markets during tenure at AIA, Asia-Pacific
Professional Experience

Two decades of enterprise-scale execution.

Mar 2021 - Apr 2026
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Vice President - Digital, Data and Strategy

Bahri - National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia

PIF and Aramco-shareheld national shipping company operating a global regulated fleet.

  • Executive leadership team member reporting to the CEO, advising the C-suite, group companies, and global partners on enterprise AI, digital strategy, and transformation
  • Architected enterprise AI operating models and digital strategies driving governed adoption, operational efficiency, commercial value, and strategic transformation
  • Built and led 50-plus professionals across six digital departments, managing annual budgets of approximately $13.3M and complex international vendor ecosystems
  • Established executive governance forums for AI, data, digital investment, and transformation prioritisation across business units, IT, cybersecurity, and external partners
  • Built internal AI and data capability through communities of practice, leadership education, delivery standards, and reusable frameworks - reducing dependency on external advisors
  • Delivered enterprise AI, automation, and analytics portfolios generating measurable value across fuel optimisation, vendor efficiency, process automation, and executive decision support
Jul 2015 - Mar 2021
Singapore

Senior Manager - Enterprise Data Analytics, Strategy

AIA Group - Singapore and Asia-Pacific

World's largest life insurance group, serving over 40 million customers across 18 markets.

  • Led the Singtel-AIA StepUp digital platform from concept to over one million active users - a B2C digital marketing and engagement initiative linking behavioural data, loyalty mechanics, and cross-industry commercial partnerships
  • Implemented AIA Group's first cloud big data platform, accelerating Vitality Health and AI initiatives across the region
  • Developed AIA's digital distribution strategy through platform-based customer journeys covering online policy engagement, wellness product uptake, and cross-sell
  • Established Centres of Excellence across Asia-Pacific to build data capability and embed a customer-centric, design-thinking culture
  • Member of the CEO's Enterprise Leadership Team in Australia and New Zealand, advising on performance measurement and predictive analytics
Jan 2013 - Jul 2015
Adelaide, Australia

Manager, Reporting and Analytics - Wealth

Bendigo Bank - Australia

Large Australian bank and wealth manager with AUD $52.1B assets under management.

  • Digital, product, fund, and customer analytics for the Wealth division, covering sales, pricing, engagement, and profitability
  • Built retention and profit optimisation models in partnership with IT, sales, and marketing teams
  • Produced board and executive-level performance reporting across divisions, serving as central data architect across banking, wealth, and insurance platforms
2006 - 2013
Australia

Earlier Roles - Fixed Income, Securitisation, Superannuation

Australian Banking and Wealth Management
  • Associate Financial Modeller and Fixed Income Assistant Portfolio Manager
  • Manager, Adelaide Managed Funds
  • Assistant Manager, Superannuation
Recognition

Independently validated.

2025

Technology Innovation Leader of the Year

Middle East AI and Analytics Summit

2020

Global 250 Data Leader

Tableau (Salesforce)

2019

CEO Team of the Year

AIA - Innovation partnership with Singtel

2019

Global Innovation Award - Data Governance

Informatica

Industry Engagement

Selected speaking engagements and council positions.

Education and Development

Continuous learning.

Expertise

Strategic depth, technical fluency, institutional discipline.

Executive Practice

AI Operating Model Design Responsible AI Governance AI Steering Committee Leadership Board and CEO Advisory AI Investment Prioritisation Value Realisation Digital Transformation Frameworks Workforce Transformation Transformation PMO Leadership Financial Governance Strategic Partnerships KPI Design

Technical Capability

Frontier Large Language Models Agentic AI Solutions MLOps and Model Governance Microsoft Azure Microsoft Fabric Dataiku AI Platform Google Cloud Platform Oracle Fusion ERP IoT Streaming Analytics Tableau Analytics Python Development TOGAF Enterprise Architecture
In Confidence

Get in touch.

For board advisory, executive transformation mandates, or institutional AI strategy engagements.

Email dionthorpemobile@gmail.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/dionjaythorpe
Based Riyadh, Saudi Arabia