Our story

Independent technology expertise...

...combined with a deep understanding of human impact. Emergence exists to make the world a better place to live and work through the thoughtful adoption of advanced technologies.

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Our team

David Poole

Chairman
David is obsessed about levelling the playfield of technology and giving all businesses access to brilliant ideas that will improve the way they do things. He balances that vision with a practical knowledge of the latest and best tech solutions and a realistic approach on how to get opportunities signed off and delivering real and lasting impact. David’s journey to Emergence has been filled with proof of that vision, co-founding Symphony, a transformation consultancy revolutionising the way organisations do work and before that getting under the skin of the client perspective as Chief Client Officer at Sutherland. Outside of work David is a keen sailor and baker – we think he may have a thing for soggy bottoms.

Katie Gibbs

Head of Consulting
Katie knows good process! Working with our advanced- technology-powered tools, she heads up our strategy team and no matter what the size of business or the sector, she can provide clarity on the right opportunities for advancement. Tired of seeing projects failing due to lack of data or lazy assumptions, she has pioneered the development of our AI- driven toolset and works with clients using empirical data and smart analysis to create a bespoke technology roadmap that supports their employees and customers.  Having been at one of the ‘big four’ she prides herself on challenging the traditional consultancy model and bringing clients what they need to leap-frog their competitors and lead their markets. Outside work Katie is a semi-professional wedding guest having racked up more than 10 this year alone.

Pascal Baker

Transformation Consultant
Pascal expects all businesses to want to align and better serve their customers. After 20 years that vision continues to evolve as new ways of working are created. Whether it’s been improving how customers connect with businesses by redesigning the contact centre, rethinking finance shared services or driving back-office efficiencies through intelligent automation, every client and every project has been fuelled by his passion to deliver new ways of working. Having worked for multiple Global businesses he’s been exposed to an incredible breadth and depth of challenges to solve but also a broad suite of solutions to manage them with.  As a result, he doesn’t see boundaries and approaches every brief with a fearless pragmatism. Outside of work, Pascal is well known as a mediocre long-distance Triathlete, more ‘Try’ than ‘Athlete’. 

Andrew Rayner

CTO
Andrew loves everything tech and is a self-proclaimed geek! In his early career, Andrew began working as a Software Developer after graduating from Leeds University. In 2012, Andrew joined Genfour, one of the first pure play intelligent automation service providers. Over five years he helped Genfour to build a first in class automation delivery capability, strong partnerships with intelligent automation product vendors and a cross platform managed services offering. In 2017, Andrew joined UiPath and has held multiple roles including Product Director, Vice President of Customer Success and Professional Services for EMEA. In his spare time, Andrew loves scuba diving, reading and is a dedicated World of Warcraft gamer!

James Hall

Founding Partner
James is passionate about combining the best of people, process and emerging technology to deliver profound transformation and improved customer experiences. His career has focused on developing consulting and outsourcing solutions for large global organisations, working firms including Accenture and IBM. Prior to Emergence, James founded Genfour, a leading boutique automation services company. Genfour developed the first UiPath robot and pioneered the robotic delivery centre, offering fully managed services. Genfour was sold to Accenture in 2017. He holds a Masters in Engineering from Imperial College, London in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from London Business School.

Joy Poole

Founding Partner
Described by a client as ‘one of the clearest communicators I’ve ever met’ Joy is a firm believer in the need to separate the noise from the necessary. Running our education and coaching practice, she uses her keen sense of curiosity to quickly get under the skin of a business and what’s really going on, winning client and team trust in the process.  She blends that with years of experience at fast-moving tech-driven businesses like Facebook to deliver real business change via the people in it. Joy has also seen the world through more traditional businesses like Unilever, Pepsico, Capgemini and Arthur Andersen, so understands the unique mindsets that can hold businesses back and crucially, how to shift them. Inside and outside of work, Joy is known for her lack of a poker face and willing to try just about anything once. 

Bill Thomas

Founding Partner
Bill embodies the ‘adapt or die’ approach to business and has spent his career delivering on it.   His extensive experience across a range of businesses and sectors, as well as running his own companies, has given him a unique perspective on when to make the big moves and what those should be.   With an enviable Global network, he continues to thrive on the success of others and has successfully completed multiple acquisitions, disposals and capital events and has held numerous board positions.   As our Chairman he continues to support Emergence and several other businesses and charities as a trusted advisor.   Outside of work Bill is ‘family first’ and beyond that is a keen rower and cyclist.

Sarah Burnett

Founding Partner
Sarah is a renowned industry analyst and helps technology companies successfully formulate their product innovation and go to market strategies. She also advises enterprise clients on automation technologies, sourcing, competitive strategies and market trends and their commercial significance. She was Executive VP and Distinguished Analyst at Everest Group where she set up the new Intelligent Automation research practice. Her background is punctuated with analyst experience at NelsonHall and Ovum, as well as senior management roles at Digital Equipment Corp and in local government. Sarah is a strong advocate for women and diversity, serving as Chair of BCSWomen from 2016 to 2020. She continues to chair BCSWomen's AI Accelerator.

Nisha Deo

Founding Partner
Nisha Deo leads Strategy and Communications at Emergence Partners. Nisha is experienced in creating new capabilities for companies and leaders to drive corporate growth through storytelling and industry positioning. She has global experience leading communications teams at Intel, Boston Scientific, Shire Pharmaceuticals, and Rainbird where she managed corporate re-positioning, reputation, issues management, and internal and external stakeholder relations. Nisha currently serves teaching fellow for Cyberspace, AI, and International Relations at Harvard. She holds a B.A. from Purdue University, an M.A. from Harvard University.

Where we are

  • Tech Talent Charter
  • Proud members of the Tech Talent Charter - working to make the UK tech sector a diverse and truly inclusive community.

Why Emergence?

We believe in bypassing the siloed and slow-moving approach of large consultancy firms. We’ll take you out of your comfort zone with agile and fast-moving consulting, offering a holistic and human view of your opportunities for innovation and barriers to change.

New breed

Set up to be different, we listen and empower businesses to achieve their own success.

Strategic partners

We work with you as part of your team to drive meaningful and scaled impact.

Holistic approach

We see your business as a whole and actively look for opportunities to integrate technology solutions.

Tech agnostic

We never forget that people are at the heart of every business and blend an understanding of people with tech expertise.

Human-centric

We work with a trusted network of expert partners, who can deliver projects with us for you.