Data and AI governance in real life

On Thursday 22 October 2026 I spent the day at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. I delivered 3 training workshops in The Bury Lecture Theatre which is a purpose-built, self-contained, air-conditioned lecture theatre over two tiers. It accommodates between 70 to 250 delegates in cinema style seating. 

 

The training workshops introduced participants to the foundations of Data and AI Governance, emphasising how these disciplines shape business behaviour and why modern organisations can no longer afford to treat governance as a peripheral concern. Rather than presenting governance as a theoretical construct, I focused on its practical impact and how it influences decision making, operational resilience, regulatory posture, and the organisation’s ability to deploy AI safely and at scale. The central message I shared was that governance is not a traditional administrative layer but a strategic capability, and embedding it early and consistently is what enables businesses to innovate without losing control.

To bring the discussions to life I used two analogies, one of a stream and how the water travels from a mountain and the regeneration of a central part of Manchester called Holt Town. 

The first analogy was a stream flowing from a mountain, tracing the journey of water as it moves through different environments, is diverted, contaminated, over used, and eventually becomes scarce enough to trigger hosepipe bans. 

The second analogy centred on the regeneration of Holt Town, a historically significant but long neglected part of central Manchester. It was at the centre of the industrial revolution there. By exploring how regeneration requires coordinated planning, clear ownership, sustained investment, and a shared vision across multiple stakeholders, the analogy mirrored the organisational effort required to build and maintain effective governance. 

We ended the day with drinks in the Royal Armouries Museum's Asian & African Gallery showcasing diverse Asian culture.