Odhrán McConnell is a technology visionary with a career spanning nearly three decades in software engineering, from the intricacies of 6502 assembler to the cutting-edge domains of machine learning and artificial intelligence. As the CEO and Founder of Arcana AI, he channels his expertise to create innovative digital solutions that drive measurable success.

With a history of technological accomplishments, in the early 2000s he pioneered a groundbreaking web content management system. His ingenuity led to the acquisition of this CMS by the renowned digital agency, XM London - part of the WPP group. Notably, this CMS powered numerous high-profile clients, including royal.gov.uk, mi5.gov.uk, and sis.gov.uk, further solidifying Odhran's reputation as a technology luminary.

In 2008, Odhrán embarked on a new chapter of his career by joining The Guardian, where he further honed his skills under the mentorship of Shannon Maher, former Head of Mobile at Google. This experience bolstered his prowess as a technology leader and equipped him with invaluable insights into the ever-evolving digital landscape.

In 2016, Odhrán held the position of Technology Director and later CTO at 101 Ways, a premier product development consultancy. There, he continued to shape his reputation as a dynamic leader, driving innovation, and engineering excellence.

In 2020, Odhrán's passion for pioneering technologies led him to Trint, a leading automated transcription and AI scale-up. At Trint, he harnessed his extensive knowledge to transform the company's technical landscape and contribute to its impressive growth.

Now, as the CEO and Founder of Arcana AI, Odhrán McConnell brings together all his accumulated experience, knowledge, and razor-sharp insight to create high-performing product development teams. He is dedicated to solving complex problems and is renowned for his ability to tease out solutions that lead to exceptional results. Odhrán's unwavering commitment to technological innovation and his outstanding track record make him a driving force in the world of software engineering and digital innovation.

With his profound understanding of technology and a proven history of success, Odhrán continues to be a driving force in the tech industry, shaping the future of digital solutions and providing strategic leadership to Arcana AI and the broader tech community.

 

Chiara Donati is the Chief Operating Officer, bringing over two decades of leadership and operational expertise to our team. Before joining us, Chiara spent 20 years as the Head of Operations and Distribution for Stussy in the UK and Ireland, where she was instrumental in driving the brand's growth and establishing its strong market presence.

During her tenure at Stussy, Chiara demonstrated an exceptional ability to navigate the complexities of the fashion industry, spearheading numerous successful campaigns and expanding the brand's footprint. Her strategic vision and operational acumen have been key in fostering innovation and maintaining Stussy's competitive edge in a dynamic market.

Chiara is known for her collaborative leadership style, her commitment to excellence, and her dedication to building high-performing teams. She is passionate about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that the organization remains agile and responsive to changing market demands.

As Chief Operating Officer, Chiara oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring that all departments align with the company's strategic goals. Her extensive experience and proven track record make her an invaluable asset to our leadership team, driving operational efficiency and contributing to our overall success.

Chiara holds a masters degree in Japanese Cultural Studies. Outside of work, she is a qi gong and yoga instructor, an avid traveler, and enjoys exploring new cultures and cuisines.

 

Wendy Orr is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in designing and delivering award-winning web and app products across diverse commercial and non-profit sectors in the UK, Europe, and the US. Renowned for her expertise, she specializes in coaching, mentoring, and facilitating to cultivate high-performing teams and environments. Wendy collaborates with leaders, leveraging OKR frameworks and agile principles to effect transformative change within organizations. Her impressive background includes significant contributions to esteemed institutions such as The Guardian and the Imperial War Museum. As a consultant, Wendy continues to drive impactful outcomes while crafting innovative solutions for businesses seeking to thrive in dynamic landscapes.

 

Gwilym has a long history of providing strategic and consulting advice to boards, management teams and companies worldwide and a proven track record of success over many years. He is a co-founder of Appsecco, a leading cloud and application security company with offices in London, Bangalore and Boston. Appsecco works with clients around the globe to bring security assurance to the products they create and the services they deliver. As part of his role at Appsecco, Gwilym led the strategic planning, creation and launch of Neptune Cyber Inc, a specialist Marine cyber security company, as a joint venture with Appsecco and one of North America's largest shipbuilders and subsequently managed the successful sale of Appsecco's stake to the joint venture partner in 2021. Gwilym co-founded Appsecco after selling Keion, a specialist web application development company which delivered work to brands and organisations globally ranging from HSBC to the UN to P&G, to Communisis PLC in 2012. He is also currently a non-executive director of MGA, an award-winning marketing and communications agency from the UK. Gwilym holds an MBA from London Business School.

 

Jamie has worked in the software technology industry since 2008, where he has been scaling teams and building products for clients including Barclays, Lloyds, DAZN and Homegate AG. He developed the well-being app Few and brought it to the market in 2020 following a funding round in Malta, and has since moved into the Crypto space where he's leading the transformation of the Fan Token Crypto Exchange, ChilizX.