Kristen Bennie

Kristen is a creative leader and strategic partner with deep expertise in strategy, design, transformation and innovation. Kristen is currently the group head of partnerships and innovation at Barclays, responsible for innovation, strategic partnerships and generative AI. Kristen’s career has involved the development and delivery of new products, services and ventures always working at the intersection of strategy, design and technology. Kristen was previously the director of innovation and partnerships at NatWest focused on reimagining financial services for 19m customers. Kristen created “OX”, the award winning innovation design studios in London and Edinburgh where she and her team worked at the bounds of what is possible, using insight and emerging technologies. Kristen was recognised by IBM as one of 35 exceptional women leaders globally for her work in artificial intelligence to transform NatWest’s business. Kristen is passionate about using strategic design and technology to solve our greatest challenges and is the vice chair of the Glasgow School of Art, a global leader in arts education. Kristen holds a degree from Northwestern University and has completed executive education programs at INSEAD and the University of Cambridge.