CTO · Chief AI Officer · Strategic Advisor
Philip BreenPhD
Practical AI. Real business impact.
I help trading firms, fintechs and crypto businesses turn AI and modern data infrastructure into P&L impact, faster delivery and production-grade systems.
Worked with
Raen Trading
T. Rowe Price
HSBC
Citco
Unity
University of Edinburgh
About
Technical leadership at the intersection of finance, AI and research.
I advise trading firms, asset managers, fintechs, and crypto companies on technology and AI strategy, often serving as a fractional CTO or board member. My experience spans leading technology and AI transformation for global trading firms and asset managers — delivering robust data platforms, modern trading systems, and measurable business results.
With a PhD in Applied and Computational Mathematics, a CQF, and publications in leading venues, I combine deep technical expertise with a proven track record of building high-performance, production-grade systems that drive commercial value.
Advisory
How I can help
From fast, fixed-scope diagnostics to ongoing fractional leadership — engagements that move from insight to execution.
Where to start
AI Strategy Review
A fixed-scope review of where AI can create real P&L impact across your trading, research and operations. It takes a few weeks and ends with clear next steps, before you commit to anything larger.
You get
- An assessment of your AI capabilities, data and infrastructure readiness
- The most promising use cases, with ROI estimates
- A prioritised roadmap and build-vs-buy recommendations
- An executive-level report and presentation
We’ll scope the review on a 30-minute call.
Discovery & Diagnostics
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AI Adoption & Readiness Audit
Evaluate data quality, infrastructure, team capability and model-lifecycle maturity.
Output: gap analysis and an execution plan to become AI-native.
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Trading Technology & Architecture Review
Deep dive into trading systems, latency bottlenecks, data flows and scalability constraints.
Output: target architecture and a modernisation plan.
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Data Platform & Analytics Assessment
Review data pipelines, storage, observability and research workflows.
Output: blueprint for a scalable, research-friendly data platform.
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Engineering Organisation & Delivery Review
Assess team structure, hiring, SDLC and execution velocity.
Output: a plan to build a high-performance, AI-capable engineering org.
Strategy & Transformation
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AI Transformation Programme Design
Define the operating model, tooling, governance and roadmap for AI adoption across the business.
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Trading Platform Modernisation
Redesign legacy trading or risk systems into scalable, cloud-native architectures with integrated AI capabilities.
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Data & Research Platform Build-out
Design and oversee implementation of unified data platforms for quant research, backtesting and production.
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AI Use-Case Incubation
Identify, prototype and validate high-impact AI/ML use cases — alpha generation, execution optimisation, risk and more.
Fractional Leadership
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Fractional CTO
Own technology strategy, architecture and engineering execution — scaling systems, teams and delivery.
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Fractional CAIO / Head of AI
Define and drive AI strategy, the model lifecycle, and integration into trading and decision systems.
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Fractional Head of Engineering
Build and manage engineering teams, improve delivery velocity, and implement best practices.
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Technical Advisor to CEO / Board
Independent oversight on technology decisions, vendor selection and strategic direction.
Not sure which engagement fits? Book a 30-minute introductory call and we’ll work it out together.
Book intro callFit
Who I work with
A strong fit if you are…
- A trading firm, asset manager, fintech, or crypto business where technology directly affects revenue, risk, performance, or delivery.
- A founder, CEO, COO, CTO, or board member with a genuine mandate to adopt AI, modernise critical systems, or improve engineering execution.
- Building or upgrading trading infrastructure, data platforms, AI-enabled workflows, or engineering organisations.
- Looking for senior fractional CTO, CAIO, or Head of Engineering leadership without hiring a full-time executive.
- Ready to begin with a focused diagnostic before committing to a larger transformation programme.
Probably not the right fit if you are…
- Looking primarily for low-cost development capacity or a team to execute a fully specified build.
- Seeking AI adoption without usable data, executive sponsorship, or willingness to change existing workflows.
- At a very early stage and needing hands-on product engineering rather than strategic technology leadership.
- Expecting guaranteed trading profits, financial returns, or regulatory outcomes.
- Unable to share enough context for a meaningful discovery conversation.
Proof of delivery
Selected work
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AI-enabled trading analytics platform
Led technology and AI/ML strategy end to end, from data ingestion through model deployment and monitoring.
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Trading technology and execution infrastructure
Led technology for systematic trading operations, including execution infrastructure, trader tooling, AI-enabled workflows, trading interfaces, and an internal administration portal.
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AI transformation advisory
Designed and executed AI-native roadmaps, governance frameworks, and agentic workflows to speed up adoption and deliver measurable ROI across trading, cloud, and enterprise-software initiatives.
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Cloud-native data and engineering platforms
Led architecture and delivery of scalable data and engineering platforms, modernising complex legacy environments and improving data flows, observability, and delivery practices.
Career
Companies I’ve worked with
A selection of organisations across proprietary trading, asset management, fintech and research.
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Raen Trading
Proprietary trading firm
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T. Rowe Price
Global asset manager
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deltaDNA
Game analytics platform
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Unity
Game development platform
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University of Edinburgh
Research & academia
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Citco Fund Services
Fund administration
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HSBC
Global bank
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Belltree
Energy data analytics
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Xhail
Music technology
Full career history on LinkedIn.
Research
Research & publications
I hold a PhD in Applied & Computational Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh, where I also spent three years as a postdoctoral researcher. My peer-reviewed work spans machine learning, numerical methods and applied statistics.
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Newton vs the Machine: Solving the chaotic three-body problem using deep neural networks
Featured in New Scientist and Live Science.
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Black Box Probabilistic Numerics
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Fast and efficient co-localization algorithm for identifying shared genetic risk factors across numerous traits
Full list on Google Scholar.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What types of businesses do you work with?
I primarily work with trading firms, asset managers, fintechs, and crypto businesses that demand measurable results from their technology and AI investments. My clients are organisations where technology is mission-critical — where performance, reliability, and engineering excellence directly impact the bottom line. I also welcome opportunities to partner with companies in other sectors where technology and AI are business-critical, and where my expertise can deliver meaningful impact.
What is the difference between advisory and fractional leadership?
Advisory is focused, high-impact guidance — delivering strategy, reviews, and actionable roadmaps you can execute. Fractional leadership is hands-on: I step into CTO, CAIO, or Head of Engineering roles to drive strategy, architecture, and delivery as part of your team. Advisory sets direction; fractional leadership ensures execution.
How do your discovery reviews work?
Discovery reviews are focused, outcome-oriented assessments designed to provide rapid clarity and actionable recommendations. For example, an AI Strategy Review typically takes just a few weeks and delivers a clear evaluation of your current AI capabilities, data and infrastructure readiness, and the most promising use cases for your business. You receive a concise, executive-level report and presentation outlining a prioritised roadmap, ROI estimates, and concrete next steps — whether that’s a deeper assessment, fractional engagement, or direct delivery project.
Can you work alongside our existing engineering and leadership teams?
Absolutely. I don’t replace teams — I elevate them. I integrate seamlessly with existing engineers, quant researchers, or technology leaders, filling capability gaps, raising standards, and accelerating delivery. I’ve partnered with global asset managers and trading firms to help internal teams deliver faster while maintaining the highest quality.
Do you offer fixed-scope engagements and retained support?
Yes, I offer both. Fixed-scope engagements include discovery reviews, strategy projects, and targeted delivery work with clear timelines and outcomes. Retained support covers ongoing fractional CTO/CAIO roles and advisory partnerships, giving you the flexibility to start small and scale our collaboration as your needs evolve.
How do you handle confidentiality and sensitive data?
Confidentiality is fundamental to my work. I operate under strict NDAs and GDPR-compliant data handling, ensuring all client strategies, data, and proprietary systems remain secure. I never reuse or share code, models, or sensitive information, and I can work within your environment and adhere to your security policies as required.
Contact
Book a 30-minute introductory call
A focused conversation on your AI, trading technology, data platform, or engineering priorities.