Capgemini UK MD: London must continuously innovate to stay competitive
1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT
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.
Key Numbers
53age of Rob Walker
£2.50hourly wage for first job
25years helping organisations transform
Who's Involved
Rob Walker
UK managing director of Capgemini and member of the Capgemini Group Executive Committee
Capgemini
AI consultancy firm
Sir Chris Hoy
Inspirational business leader and accomplished athlete
Rob Walker's mother
Senior executive at a global consumer beverage company and role model
↳ Why This Matters
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.
Key facts
Rob Walker, UK managing director of Capgemini, believes London must continuously reinvent itself to maintain its global competitiveness.
He highlighted the importance of attracting and developing diverse talent, strengthening industry-academia links, and supporting startups.
Walker expressed optimism about the transformative impact of AI and agentic AI on business.
He stated that the UK is well-positioned to be at the forefront of AI advancements.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Rob Walker is the UK managing director of Capgemini and a member of the Capgemini Group Executive Committee.
He believes London must continuously reinvent itself by attracting and developing diverse talent, strengthening industry-academia links, and supporting startups and scale-ups.
Walker is very optimistic about the profound changes AI and agentic AI will bring to business and believes the UK is well-positioned to lead in this area.
What Happens Next
01London will continue to focus on talent attraction and development.
02Efforts will be made to strengthen industry-academia links.
03Support for startups and scale-ups will be a priority.
How It Developed
Rob Walker is the UK managing director of AI consultancy Capgemini.
Walker believes London must continuously reinvent itself to remain a global hub.
He stressed the need to attract and develop diverse talent.
Strengthening industry-academia links is crucial for innovation.
Supporting startups and scale-ups is vital for London's ecosystem.
Walker is optimistic about the impact of AI and agentic AI on business.
He believes the UK is well-positioned to lead in AI advancements.
