‘Visionary’ AI leader joins Hays Travel as non-executive director

The chief AI officer at Kingfisher Group plc will join the Hays Travel board next month as a non-executive director.

The agency described Dr Mohsen Ghasempour as “a visionary” artificial intelligence (AI) leader, with a record of driving enterprise-scale innovation, governance and transformation in AI.

Dr Ghasempour has been with Kingfisher, the parent of B&Q and Screwfix, since 2021.

As well as his academic foundation and regular contribution to research publications, Dr Ghasempour has delivered public speaking and thought leadership on AI and technology, including the AI Summit in London this June, on ‘AI: The New Secret Weapon in your Customer Recipe’.

Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays Travel, said: “Dr Mohsen Ghasempour is a distinguished expert in the field of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on retail and customer experience.

“We are delighted to welcome him to our board and look forward to collaborating with him as we further develop the use of data, technology and AI across our group.

“Mohsen is our third non-executive director, and we welcome the contribution and challenge he will bring to our board as we navigate our future.”

Dr Ghasempour said: “I have great admiration for Dame Irene and the team at Hays Travel and look forward to offering my experience and ideas to support and guide the Hays Travel board as it navigates the possibilities and opportunities that AI presents.

“I respect Hays Travel’s family values and its commitment to its people, customers and communities and I’m sure we have lots to learn from each other.”

Mohsen will assume his role as a non-executive director on the Hays Travel board from October 1.