Governing Body Spotlight

Deepak Jose is VP, Head of Data and Decision Intelligence at Niagara Bottling. Deepak is a purpose-driven executive leader specializing in digital transformation, data sciences, and analytics. He has held strategic roles at global brands such as Mars, Coca-Cola, and ABB, leading diverse analytics teams and driving business growth. Deepak is a Mechanical Engineer from NIT Calicut and holds an MBA from George Washington University and completed executive education at Oxford Said Business School. A recognized innovator and influencer in data and AI, he draws inspiration from the Japanese concept of “Ikigai” to guide his leadership and purpose-driven approach.

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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I began my career as an engineer at ABB before moving into analytics and strategic roles at companies like Coca-Cola, and Mu Sigma. I then led Digital Transformation initiatives at Mars and later was Global Head of One Demand Data and Analytics Solutions at Mars Wrigley. In 2024, I joined Niagara Bottling as Vice President and Head of Data Science and Business Intelligence, driving digital transformation and data-driven growth.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

My guiding principle is the Japanese concept of “Ikigai,” which centers on finding one’s purpose by aligning passion, skills, and what the world needs. I apply this philosophy to leadership by focusing on value creation, authenticity, and empowering teams to pursue meaningful work. This approach drives my commitment to purpose-driven business transformation and inspires others to find fulfillment in their roles.
 

What is the greatest challenge data leaders are facing today, and how are you addressing it?

One of my biggest challenges is building a value-first team that focuses on scaling capabilities rather than just delivering projects. I emphasise shifting from a technology- or data-first mindset to a business problem-first approach, ensuring the team’s efforts directly drive business value and impact. This requires fostering collaboration, adaptability, and empowering team members to turn data and AI into actionable insights that create measurable outcomes for the organization.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out in a similar role?

Success as a Head of Data and Decision Intelligence requires creating a clear, business-aligned analytics strategy focused on delivering measurable value. Building a data-driven culture and fostering strong collaboration across stakeholders are essential to drive impact. Prioritizing decision-centric thinking ensures that data insights translate into actionable business outcomes.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

I measure success by focusing on delivering measurable business outcomes that align with strategic organizational goals. I track the adoption and impact of analytics solutions, ensuring that data-driven insights are operationalized and lead to tangible improvements in revenue, efficiency, or customer experience. Additionally, I evaluate success by how effectively my team enables other business units to solve problems independently, reflecting both value creation and scalable capability building.
 

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