The Information Difference is an analyst firm focusing on data management and AI. Our founders are pioneers who helped shape the data management industry, with in-depth global project experience in master data management. Take advice from someone who has run huge real-life data management projects, rather than someone who just talks to people who have.
Andy is an established software industry authority, and has advised corporations, venture capital firms and software companies. He is the founder of Kalido, which under his leadership was the fastest growing business intelligence vendor in the world in 2001. Kalido was recognised as an innovator in data warehousing, and then launched arguably the first true master data management product, a market which at the time did not exist but is now a well recognised and fast growing industry. Andy was the only European named in Red Herring’s “Top 10 Innovators of 2002”. He was a pioneer in blogging with his award winning “Andy On Enterprise Software” blog.
Andy started his career with Esso, working in a number of technology roles before moving to Shell. He was Technology Planning Manager of Shell UK, then Principal Technology Consultant for Shell International. He later established a global information management consultancy, which under his leadership grew to 300 staff. Since 2007, Andy has been an independent industry analyst and has been a regular speaker at international conferences. He is a respected authority in the industry.
The former Chief IT Systems Architect for Unilever’s two Food Groups in Europe, Dave is one of a number of IT directors who has come to the field from a business background. Following an academic career at the Universities of Leicester and Oxford (Magdalen College), he joined Unilever in 1974, where he led an international team working on the development of low calorie spreads and was involved in process automation. He also served as Section Head of the Linear Programming Group and was a founding member of the IT team that supported the move to open systems standards. Since the mid-1990’s, he worked on establishing common data standards and data warehousing. He was a pioneer in the field of master data management and led a team to develop a Master Reference Data Repository, which is now being implemented in Unilever.
Dave is a recognized authority and practitioner in the field of data management and has advised both vendors and corporations on data management strategy and architecture. He has undertaken numerous speaking engagements including at the IT Directors Forum aboard the MS Aurora in 2004, the TDWI, DAMA, Ventana Research’s Connections 2006. From March 2005 to October 2006 he was VP and Research Director at Ventana Research responsible for Information Architecture and Master Data Management.
Dave speaks fluent Dutch and has lived in The Netherlands for the past forty years.
Katie has worked in client and business development facing roles for 20 years in different industries including technology, manufacturing, and education at Durham University. Katie was a former Senior Account Manager at an International Research Firm for 7 years’ working with software vendors in the tech industry. She is committed to developing a deep understanding of the unique needs and marketing challenges faced by international and start-up data management vendors, in areas such as, advisory and consultancy, Go-To-Market Strategy, credible client case studies, independent content creation and analyst perspective. Katie works tirelessly to ensure that our clients are happy and are making the most of the opportunities we create.
Katie’s passion and primary role as a Senior Account and Analyst Relations Manager is to drive business growth, whilst building and maintaining strong relationships with our clients. Katie is a team player and plays a key role in developing and executing sales campaigns. This involves collaborating with the Founder and CEO to identify areas of opportunity within the Data Management scene.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys the outdoors and travelling, generally to visit places with a historical background. When she’s at home Katie is supporting West Ham United.
Mat is the founder and creative developer behind nukemedia.uk, bringing decades of technical and creative expertise in information technology, digital production, and high-impact media design. Specialising in translating complex products and brand visions into engaging multi-channel assets, his work spans 3D product modelling and rendering, 2D/3D corporate animations, photography, UI design, web development, sound design, and social media advertising.
As an official Media Development partner to Camelot Films UK, Mat delivers end-to-end production that merges full-scale film, special effects, and commercial photography with modern web development best practices. Having shot 200+ luxury hotels and sailing ships across the globe, alongside fashion commissions and behind-the-scenes film sets, Mat equips brands with the high-end visuals needed to capture audiences across web, social, and broadcast media.
Combining technical precision with artistic direction, Mat builds dynamic, cross-platform assets and bespoke web experiences designed to maximize brand visibility and convert viewer engagement into results.
Outside of work, Mat is a keen pianist and guitarist and spends his spare time playing music, hiking and travelling.