Capgemini MD: London must keep reinventing itself
Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Rob Walker, UK managing director of AI consultancy Capgemini, takes us through his career in Square Mile and Me
CV
- Name: Rob Walker
- Job title: in the UK and member of the Capgemini Group Executive Committee
- Previous roles: UK and global leadership roles within the Big Four and a major global technology services and consulting company.
- Age: 53
- Born: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- Lives: Newbury
- Studied: Economics
- Talents: What’s the saying – ‘Jack of all trades, master of none!’
- Motto: Have fun
- Biggest perk of the job? Getting to meet some really inspiring people
- Coffee order: Flat white or a black filter coffee
- Cocktail order: Gin and Tonic
- Favourite book: To Kill a Mockingbird and anything by Max Hastings, James Holland or Antony Beevor.
What was your first job?
My first job was doing the washing up at a local hotel restaurant when I was a teenager. I got paid £2.50 an hour, which at the time I thought was a tonne of money.
What was your first role in tech?
After university, I joined the global professional services firm, EY, as a graduate, and my first ever client was in the technology sector.
When did you know you wanted to build a career in tech?
What started as an assignment in my first role after university quickly became a career in the tech industry! The pace of innovation, the constant evolution, how it accelerates business outcomes – I was instantly hooked.
With technology, you are always at the heart of business transformation. Over the next 25 years, I helped organisations harness emerging technologies and digital capabilities to transform how they operate. From there, I joined Cognizant, leading its UK & Ireland business before helping drive growth across their international markets.
Today, at Capgemini, that same excitement about technology’s potential, especially AI, to shape the future of business continues to inspire and motivate me every day.
What’s one thing you love about Canada?
London is arguably Europe’s most internationally connected city, with a unique ability to attract talent, capital and innovation from around the globe.
And one thing you would change?
Beyond the obvious challenge of improving traffic, I’d focus on ensuring London continues to nurture the conditions that make it unique. It’s one of the world’s leading hubs for technology, finance and now increasingly AI and agentic AI. Cities can’t take that status for granted.
The ingredients that drive innovation need constant renewal: attracting and developing diverse talent, strengthening links between industry and academia, supporting start-ups and scale-ups, and investing in the wider ecosystem that enables businesses to thrive. London’s success has always come from its ability to reinvent itself, and it’s vital that we continue to invest in the foundations that will keep it globally competitive for decades to come.
What’s been your most memorable business meeting?
I’ve been fortunate to meet a number of inspirational business leaders, but I loved meeting Sir Chris Hoy. Firstly, his track record as one of our most highly accomplished athletes speaks for itself. But it’s his approachability, humbleness, kindness and positivity in the face of his illness that is truly extraordinary.
And any business faux pas?
While travelling overseas for work, I once jumped into the wrong taxi while trying to get to a client site. It took far longer than I’d like to admit before I realised my mistake. It was an expensive reminder that slowing down for a moment can save a lot of time and trouble later on.
What’s been your proudest moment?
The proudest moments for me are always when you have accelerated someone else’s development, enabling others to be successful and see them thrive.
And who do you look up to?
My mother has always been a massive role model to me, especially when I was growing up. She was very senior at one of the largest global consumer beverage companies and had an incredibly successful career. I admire her because she grew her career during a time when it was unusual for someone of her background to be that successful. She really showed me what can be achieved through sheer talent, grit and determination.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
Stay curious and never stop learning.
And the worst?
Get power for power’s sake – I’ve never understood this one.
Are you optimistic for the year ahead?
Absolutely, I’m very optimistic about the year ahead. I think we are at the foothills of a profound change in business due to the impact of AI and agentic AI. As these technologies continue to evolve, they will create substantial economic and business value, and I believe the UK is very well positioned to be at the forefront of this change.
We’re going for lunch, and you’re picking – where are we going?
For me, I love Italian food so I would have to say Enoteca da Luca, a hidden gem near our offices in St Paul’s.
And if we’re grabbing a drink after work?
For after-work drinks, the Oyster Shed is hard to beat. It captures the energy of the City while offering a fantastic riverside view of London.
Where’s home during the week?
Newbury, Berkshire.
And where might we find you at the weekend?
Outside, for sure, on a bike, playing golf, going for a walk – anything other than staying indoors!
You’ve got a well-deserved two weeks off. Where are you going and who with?
Majorca with family. It’s a beautiful island and there’s so much to do there – I love being by the ocean, there’s great golf and great cycling too, so for me, it offers a bit of everything.