NatWest Group today announces the appointment of Triona O’Keeffe as its new Chief Data and Analytics Officer, as the bank brings its data, AI and engineering capabilities closer together to accelerate delivery of products and features for customers at scale.
Triona will join NatWest in January 2027, bringing deep global experience across data, technology and AI, and will report into the bank’s Group CIO, Scott Marcar. She is currently CIO for Data & Analytics at the London Stock Exchange Group and has previously held CIO roles at Direct Line Group and senior leadership positions at Deutsche Bank.
In her new role, Triona will lead an expanded data and engineering function. By bringing bank wide engineering together with data and AI, NatWest is creating clearer accountability, helping teams move faster from insight to delivery, creating more personalised services, better support and stronger customer relationships.
Scott Marcar, CIO for NatWest Group, said: “Triona brings a depth of expertise across technology and financial services, which will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our technology foundations and scale our use of data and AI to improve experiences for customers and colleagues. Data, AI and engineering are increasingly interdependent, and this move will make us better positioned to anticipate customer needs, provide more personalised support and build even stronger relationships with the people and businesses we serve.”
Triona O’Keeffe said: “I’m excited to join NatWest at such a pivotal time and help unlock the full potential of data, AI and engineering for customers. I’m impressed by the focus the Group has on its customers, its role in the UK economy, and the ambition and pace of its transformation – so I’m very much looking forward to being part of such a great and ambitious team.”
This news reflects NatWest’s broader approach to shaping the future of banking through technology, data and AI, underpinned by its strong focus on customer relationships, growth and trust. The approach includes:
- Building further capability through NatWest’s new AI and Data Ethics accreditation, designed to support colleagues across the bank in the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence. Further detail here: AI and Data Ethics accreditation
- Scaling the use of generative and agentic AI tools to colleagues to support their day-to-day work – from research and analysis to customer interactions, as well as fraud prevention and complaints handling.
- Continuing to evolve AI-enabled virtual assistants such as Cora to help customers manage their finances and access more personalised support.
- Supporting broader industry discussions on responsible AI through initiatives such as the Responsible AI Network, which launched in Manchester earlier this year and will continue with a further event in June, bringing together practitioners, academics and businesses to share best practice and explore the future of ethical AI.
