Alex Patient brings an “in-the-trenches” perspective shaped by 20+ years in corporate leadership across risk management, strategy consulting, and data analytics in financial services and the energy sector. Career highlights include leading the Performance Insight division for FTSE100 NatWest through Covid, and supporting the Financial Services Authority’s Risk Managing Director as a risk specialist during the 2008–09 financial crisis.

Today, Alex coaches technical managers and data leadership teams to build influence, alignment, and a real data culture—especially in organisations where brilliant analysts, engineers, and data scientists are promoted into leadership without being equipped to lead. His work helps technically-minded leaders shift from “expert with the answers” to coach-like influencers who can land a message with stakeholders, reduce cross-functional friction, and create team ownership without losing delivery pace.

In his talk, Coaching the Gap, Alex draws on real-world stories from high-stakes work (including Covid-era loan schemes) and coaching lessons from cross-functional teams to show why data culture isn’t solved by a stack upgrade—it’s built through trust, shared understanding, and better leadership conversations. He equips leaders with practical coaching questions to diagnose misalignment, unlock commitment, and move from insight delivery to insight impact.

Alongside his corporate work, Alex is committed to community impact and supports charitable organisations through pro bono leadership development.