Looking Back with Pride, Looking Forward with Purpose
In 2016, Eden Smith launched as a specialist data recruitment startup with a simple ambition: to help organisations find the talent they needed to unlock the value of data. Over the past decade, that mission has grown far beyond its original scope. We’ve evolved into a data and AI consulting partner supporting organisations across every sector - from FTSE 100 giants to ambitious charities - all united by a shared desire to transform through data.
That evolution is part reflection, but mostly momentum. Because the story of our first 10 years is really the foundation for what comes next.
From Recruitment Roots to Transformation Partner
Our early years taught us what organisations were truly grappling with: not just finding skilled people, but building the environments, capability, and confidence to use data and AI meaningfully. That insight reshaped us. We expanded from talent acquisition into strategic consulting, capabilitybuilding, and handson implementation.
In doing so, we didn’t just support the industry, we grew with it.
And now, in 2026, data has become the critical infrastructure of every modern organisation. AI is reshaping how we work, innovate, and deliver value. The landscape is bigger, faster, and more dynamic than ever before.
Which is exactly why Eden Smith’s next decade will be even more transformative than the first.
A Forward Vision for Eden Smith and the Data & AI Industry
AI Becomes Operational - and We Help Make It Real
Most organisations are no longer asking why AI matters; they’re asking how to implement it safely, successfully, and sustainably.
Our focus will be on:
- Embedding AI into everyday workflows
- Helping clients modernise legacy systems
- Ensuring governance, ethics, and responsible AI adoption
- Delivering measurable outcomes, not experimentation
AI capability will become a baseline, and we are on a mission to make that baseline achievable for everyone.
Data Foundations Will Be NonNegotiable
As AI accelerates, strong data governance, quality, architecture, and interoperability become missioncritical.
We’ll support organisations to:
- Build resilient, futureproof data foundations
- Transition from siloed datasets to connected intelligence
- Adopt modern cloudfirst, privacyfirst infrastructures
Without this groundwork, AI cannot scale. We’re here to help close that gap.
Skills Will Shape the Future
Talent remains the heartbeat of transformation. But the talent landscape is shifting:
- AIaugmented roles
- Crossdisciplinary data literacy
- Greater emphasis on ethical and humancentred design
- Ensuring a pipeline of talent who can navigate the gap created by hybrid working and genAI
Our commitment is to keep supporting organisations in developing the teams they need - through recruitment, training, learning pathways, and community development. We’ll continue to advocate for accessible data education and inclusive career pipelines through our work with Nurture & NextGen.
Impact Matters For Business and Society
The next era of data and AI is not just about efficiency and profitability. It’s about meaningful impact.
We see enormous potential to:
- Help charities and public bodies use data to strengthen services
- Support sustainability goals with predictive insight
- Drive responsible innovation that serves communities, not just shareholders
We believe transformation should have purpose. We’re committed to delivering work that improves outcomes at every level.
Partnership Will Define the Next Decade
Transformation is never a solo effort.
Eden Smith will deepen partnerships across:
- FTSE 100 enterprises modernising at scale
- Highgrowth businesses building their first data functions
- Education and community initiatives developing tomorrow’s data professionals
- Emerging tech ecosystems driving the future of AI innovation
Our aim is to grow our relationships and be a longterm, trusted partner to more organisations. Supporting leaders to see impact and ROI, at pace.
We’re Ready for What Comes Next
As we celebrate our 10year milestone, we’re proud of where we’ve come from but even more excited about where we’re going.
The next decade will be defined by rapid change, humancentric innovation, and the responsible integration of AI across every sector. And Eden Smith will be right at the heart of it: guiding organisations, empowering people, and shaping a future where data and AI unlock opportunity for all.
Here’s to the next chapter.
PEOPLE & DATA
