Key facts
- Rob Walker, UK managing director of Capgemini, believes London must continuously reinvent itself to maintain its global competitiveness.
Rob Walker, UK managing director of AI consultancy Capgemini, emphasized the need for London to continually reinvent itself to maintain its status as a global hub for technology, finance, and AI. He highlighted the importance of nurturing talent, fostering industry-academia links, and supporting startups.

London's ability to maintain its global competitiveness as a hub for finance, technology, and AI is crucial for its economic future and the UK's position in the global market.
Rob Walker, the UK managing director of AI consultancy Capgemini, has emphasized the critical need for London to continuously innovate and reinvent itself to sustain its position as a leading global hub for technology, finance, and increasingly, artificial intelligence.
Walker, who also sits on Capgemini's Group Executive Committee, stated that cities cannot take their status for granted and that the ingredients driving innovation require constant renewal. He specifically pointed to the importance of attracting and developing diverse talent, strengthening the connections between industry and academia, and actively supporting startups and scale-ups.
Reflecting on his career, Walker noted his early fascination with the tech industry, driven by its pace of innovation and its role in business transformation. He has spent over 25 years helping organizations leverage emerging technologies. His current role at Capgemini continues to be inspired by technology's potential, particularly AI.
Walker expressed strong optimism for the year ahead, viewing the current period as the beginning of profound business change driven by AI and agentic AI. He believes these technologies will create substantial economic value and that the UK is strategically positioned to be a leader in this evolution.