About Giles.
“Design is more than the aesthetic of a product, a visual or a user interface. Human-centred design, powered by research, insight and creative expertise, helps companies and teams not only understand user behaviours, problems and desires, but also identify emerging needs for the future, as well as opportunities for innovation and transformation”
I’m an award-winning, highly experienced, hands-on, UX design and product innovation expert.
I have extensive expertise in driving creative and delivery excellence, solving complex business challenges, building/developing high-impact teams, and delivering state-of-the art experiences in B2B/B2C contexts for start-ups, scale-ups, global brands including FTSE/Fortune 100 companies in Asia, Europe, the UK, and the USA.
Key Skills
➔ Product Strategy & Product Market Fit
➔ UX/UI Design & Digital Transformation
➔ Design Thinking & Innovation Consulting
➔ AI, Blockchain, DeFi & Web3 Product Design
➔ Cross-functional Team Leadership & Mentorship
➔ User Research & Data-Driven Decision Making
➔ Customer Experience & Growth Strategy
➔ Information Architecture, Software & Website Design
➔ Design Systems & Design Governance
➔ UX Coach & Mentor
➔ Adobe CS, ChatGPT, Figma, FigJam, Miro, Mural, Notion, Prototyping, Framer, Testing Platforms
My Journey
Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse array of clients, and organisations, from renowned companies, institutions, consultancies and design agencies to innovative startups.
Now, as a fractional product designer and design leader, I continue to push creative boundaries and deliver impactful, forward-thinking, innovative solutions and outcomes.
Building a Generative Design AI Ecosystem
Leading UX and product design strategy for a fintech ecosystem, ensuring frictionless customer experiences and commercial scalability.
Role: Fractional Chief Experience Officer | Fintech, AI, Blockchain, Web3 | Remote
Company: Ateaya
More: Coming soon
Driving Product Innovation and Design
Led multi-million-pound innovation projects for global financial institutions, including HSBC and Bank of America. Built and scaled high-performance UX and product design teams, driving strategic growth.
Role: Managing Principal – Innovation & Design Lead - Head of Design | Edinburgh & London, UK
Company: CAPCO
More: Digital innovation
From Idea to Launch and Beyond
Led the discovery, strategy, design and delivery phases of a ‘zero-to-one’ global platform.
Role: Product Strategy, UX/UI Design & Digital Transformation Lead | London, UK
Company: HSBC via CAPCO
More: The art of UX design in financial services
Scaling Design
Built a new in-house design team and governance practice from scratch. Product design lead for the strategy, design, and execution of 21 purpose-built products, which brought cost savings, and new revenue.
Role: Securities Services Design Lead | London, UK; Hong Kong & Guangzhou, China
Company: HSBC via CAPCO
Employee UX Transformation in the Workplace
Employee UX transformation - ensuring a seamless digital workplace strategy. Impacted organisation strategy, broke down silos and significantly increased adoption of internal products and services.
Role: Director, User Experience | Brighton, UK; New York & Phoenix, USA
Company: American Express
Spearheaded a Groundbreaking Zero-to-one Platform
Secured C-suite/senior stakeholder buy-in, and product/market fit which resulted in new users and increased sales of £12m+ in annual growth. Built Dealogic’s global UX function, leading digital transformation and product innovation.
Role: Head of UX | Budapest, Hungary; London, UK; New York, USA
Company: Dealogic
More: Mobile access to personalised real-time content
Building Brand Advocacy
Successfully delivered award-winning mobile, website and social media projects. Clients included AkzoNobel, Domus Nova, Fletchers, HP Palm, IHG, Hendricks, and Star Alliance amongst others.
Role: Head of UX | London, UK
Company: Brand Advocate
Generative Design
Developed an early generative design system and award-winning digital products.
Role: Founder | London, UK; Silicon Valley, USA
Company: Royal College of Art & Urban Feedback | London, UK
Awards & Recognition
➔ 16th Annual Webby Awards – Official Honoree (Real Estate Category)
➔ Distinction, Bronze & Silver – Interactive Media Review
➔ Digital Workplace of the Year – AMEX
➔ Special Mention for ‘User Engagement’ – AMEX
➔ Sell-Side Technology Award – Best Sell-Side Mobile Initiative
➔ D&AD Pencil – Best of Year in Design
➔ Distinction – About Vision, London
➔ Special Award – Split International Festival of New Film, Croatia
➔ Gold – Art Directors Club (ADC) New York
➔ People’s Choice Award Winner
➔ BIMA
Certifications & Education
➔ ILM7 in Executive Coaching & Mentoring (In Progress)
➔ PhD in Affective Computing & Experience Design – Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts
➔ MBA in Business & Entrepreneurship – ThePower Business School
➔ American Express & Harvard Business School Leadership Excellence Certificate
➔ PG (Dip) in Interaction Design & Interactive Media – Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts
➔ BA (Hons) Communication Design – Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts
➔ Foundation in Art & Design – London College of Communication, University of the Arts
Unlock UX and product innovation excellence!
Getting started is easy. Book a complimentary 20-minute intro call designed to maximise the value and insight you gain from our time together.
With well over two decades of experience in design and innovation, I’m here to help individuals, teams and organisations find human-centred design opportunities for growth.