Deloitte UK appoints first Chief AI Officer

Deloitte UK appoints first Chief AI Officer

• New role created as part of a series of strategic appointments to Deloitte UK’s Executive
• Additional appointments to leadership roles for Technology & Transformation; Strategy, Risk & Transactions Advisory; and Chief Risk Officer

Deloitte UK has appointed Hayley McKelvey as its first Chief AI Officer, a newly created role that places AI strategy at the heart of the firm's leadership.

McKelvey, who is joining the UK Executive, effective 1 June 2026, will be responsible for driving the firm's AI strategy across client services and internal operations and accelerating the firm’s progress towards becoming the leading AI-enabled professional services firm in the UK.

McKelvey joins the Executive having served most recently as the firm's Chief AI Officer for the UK's Tax and Legal practices. With over 20 years of technology and transformation experience she has a proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes through long-term digital transformation programmes for clients and within Deloitte.

Commenting on her new role, Hayley McKelvey said: "I am honoured to step into this role at a time when AI is fundamentally reshaping professional services. Data, AI and technology are changing how business is done, with profound implications for economies, organisations and the future of work.

“Harnessing the power of AI responsibly and strategically, both for our clients and in our own operations, is my priority. I look forward to working with our partners to build on our momentum and continue to deliver real, measurable outcomes with AI."

Deloitte UK Executive

McKelvey’s appointment forms part of a broader series of updates to Deloitte UK’s Executive, led by the firm’s new UK CEO, Darren Graves.

Further appointments include:

• Hammad Rafique as managing partner for Technology & Transformation (T&T). He was previously the UK Head of Financial Services for T&T;
• Dave Sharman as managing partner for Strategy, Risk & Transactions Advisory (SRTA). Previously the Chief Operating Officer for SRTA, Dave also led our Value Creation Services team; and
• Alan Chaudhuri as Chief Risk Officer in the UK, having most recently been the UK Head of Quality & Risk for Audit & Assurance.

Darren Graves, senior partner and chief executive of Deloitte UK, said: "I’m excited to be welcoming Hayley, Hammad, Dave and Alan to our Executive. I’m confident they will each help ensure we don't just navigate an era of profound technological disruption and geopolitical complexity, but lead our clients and people through it. By appointing a Chief AI Officer to the UK Executive in particular, we are sharpening our focus on the future and positioning our firm for continued growth as the next-generation professional services firm."

ENDS