What I did next: from Deloitte to pioneering AI partnerships at Meta
Sophie England, Head of UK Public Policy – AI and Wearables at Meta, shares her journey from a varied early career to the cutting edge of AI, highlighting the foundational impact of her time at Deloitte and her passion for purposeful partnerships.
1. Tell me about your career path and your motivations for moving into industry and the tech sector.
My career path has been anything but linear. After a period in consumer PR that didn't quite resonate, I found myself working in a pub, contemplating my next move. A mentor suggested politics, leading me to an internship running the campaign for Chuka Umunna to become a Labour MP at the next general election. A week into the programme, I landed a graduate role at Deloitte. Chuka wisely advised me to take the Deloitte opportunity, recognising the invaluable foundation it would provide.
I spent four and a half years in People & Change consulting at Deloitte. It was a transformative experience. I credit Annette Swinburn, a prominent figure in our consulting practice at the time, for seeing potential in me despite my non-traditional background – a classics degree and no prior corporate experience, for taking a chance on me. Getting the job at Deloitte was a sliding doors moment that set me on a professional path I hadn't envisioned. Deloitte gave me immense credibility and confidence, teaching me essential skills in client interaction, problem-solving, and delivering high-quality work.
After Deloitte, and a couple of Chief of Staff roles, I found my way to Meta. My unique blend of policy background from my time with Chuka Umunna (and other political campaigns outside of work) and my experience running programmes and partnerships made me a "unicorn" candidate. I wasn't just a technical policy person; I enjoyed working on issues and executing programmes, which was a perfect fit for the tech sector's dynamic environment.
2. How are you using AI models in your partnerships to create efficiencies and stimulate economic growth?
At Meta, we are an "AI maker" – we build and ship our own models. Unlike some others, we open-source much of our technology, making it freely available for anyone to download.
A great example of what I am doing is a partnership between Meta, the Alan Turing Institute and UK Government where we are seconding fellows to work on high profile open source AI-use cases for a year. These experts will help government teams utilise our AI models for critical projects, such as planning reform and national security translation, ultimately driving efficiency and innovation.
I also work on wearable technology, like our AI-powered glasses. As well as being a great practical application of AI, these glasses are revolutionising the lives of those with accessible needs, for instance, by assisting partially sighted individuals in the workplace. I’m also working on "superintelligence," the next generation of AI designed to act as a personal assistant, simplifying tasks and freeing up time for individuals to pursue what truly makes them happy.
3. What advice do you have for companies seeking to build partnerships within their sector and/or partnerships which align with social action?
The key to successful partnerships, especially those with a social action component, is finding common ground where everyone genuinely cares about the outcome. The Alan Turing Institute partnership is a perfect example: it's beneficial for the government, the Institute and Meta. When all parties are equally invested, the collaboration can be transformative. Having a dedicated champion on the either side who will drive the initiative is also crucial.
4. We were delighted to see that you were recently awarded SME4Labour's Women's Achievement Award in Parliament. Tell us more about your achievements in this space.
Receiving SME4Labour's Women's Achievement Award in Parliament was a special moment, recognising my journey as a working parent in the corporate tech world. Winning the award has also encouraged me to continue to advocate for women in tech and AI, a space where I'm often the only woman in the room.
My own experience shows how important it is for corporates to actively support working parents (particularly women) and carers when they return to work, ensuring they can continue to thrive and develop in their careers. This means implementing robust policies around paid parental leave, affordable childcare and flexible working, and championing an inclusive working environment. Internal advocacy and leadership by example are vital to empower women to reach senior tech roles. We must all continue to push for these changes.
5. How have you stayed connected to Deloitte and with former colleagues?
I'm still very connected to Deloitte and my former colleagues from the graduate scheme. Many of us from the same intake remain close friends, despite living across the globe. The network and friendships forged at Deloitte have been incredibly enduring.
6. Is there a particular nugget or learning from Deloitte that you’d like to share which has impacted on your career?
My biggest learning from Deloitte is that you never know where your career will take you. Just because you're in one role now, doesn't mean that's where you'll end up. My own journey, from classics to PR, then consulting, and now leading AI policy at Meta, is a testament to that. Deloitte provided an incredible grounding and a solid foundation that allowed me to explore diverse paths and embrace new challenges with confidence. It taught me that it's ok to try different things and that a strong start can open many doors.
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