Last Updated on: 6th February 2025, 06:34 pm
COMET, a UK-based provider of investigation and assurance software for high-risk industries such as energy, construction, maritime, rail, and utilities, has announced the appointment of Dr Douglas Leith as its new Chief Intelligence Officer (CIO). This newly established role highlights COMET’s commitment to transforming how organisations gather, interpret, and apply data to enable smarter, more informed decision-making.
Mark Rushton, CEO of COMET, underlined the importance of high-quality intelligence, stating:
“Poor data leads to poor information. Poor information leads to poor intelligence. Poor intelligence leads to poor decision-making.”
“With Dr Leith’s appointment, we’re putting intelligence at the forefront, ensuring our tools and services empower businesses to make better, data-driven decisions.”
As part of his responsibilities, Dr Leith will focus on improving the integration and optimisation of data, information, and intelligence within COMET’s suite of products. He will also lead initiatives aimed at helping client organisations refine their data management practices, ensuring they have access to high-quality information to drive strategic and operational improvements.
COMET’s emphasis on intelligence is already evident in its forthcoming innovations. In 2025, the company will roll out an enhanced version of its Signals module, designed to help professionals extract actionable insights from their data and anticipate potential risks. Additionally, the recently introduced Data HealthCheck service is supporting clients in refining their data collection strategies, enhancing data accuracy, and streamlining information workflows.
Dr Leith, who began his career with a PhD in applied Artificial Intelligence nearly four decades ago, brings extensive expertise to the role. Reflecting on his journey in AI, he said:
“In many ways, AI’s role hasn’t changed—it’s always been about supporting human decision-making. Back then, my work led to a commercial product that helped maintenance managers decide which machines to repair and when, offering intelligence to make more informed, timely decisions. Today, we’re using digital technologies to uncover hidden insights in data, empowering organisations to make the best decisions possible.”
With Dr Leith spearheading COMET’s intelligence initiatives, the company is set to revolutionise how businesses utilise data to drive smarter, safer, and more efficient decision-making.
