Welcoming James Akrigg to our board as we drive forward our AI first vision

LAURA CHAMBERS • 02 Jun 2025

We're thrilled to share some exciting news – ex Microsoft and leading UK AI authority, James Akrigg, has joined our board as a non-executive director.

James Akrigg announcement image

James is a highly respected technology leader with over three decades of experience. He brings a wealth of expertise in AI, cloud and digital transformation to drive forward our vision of pushing boundaries and accelerating our vision of becoming an AI first business.

For 18 years, James was part of Microsoft, where he eventually became Head of Technology for Partners in the UK. In that role, he worked closely with a wide network of partners to leverage Microsoft’s technologies – particularly in cloud, modern applications and, increasingly, artificial intelligence – to drive business change.

Since leaving Microsoft, James has continued to be a leading voice in technology, advising businesses on AI, cloud adoption and digital transformation. His experience spans speaking at conferences, mentoring start-ups and acting as a fractional CTO across a range of innovative projects.

Our Founder and CEO, Chris Keeling, shared his thoughts on James’s appointment:

“We are incredibly excited to welcome James to our board. His deep expertise in AI and technology strategy will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our applicant tracking system and deliver even greater value to our clients. James’s appointment reinforces our commitment to embedding AI at the heart of our business, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation in the recruitment technology space.”

James also shared what drew him to Jobtrain:

“Jobtrain is in a unique position to embrace the opportunities AI is creating – both within internal processes and in the solutions it provides to customers. Jobtrain's vision of becoming an ‘AI first business’ really resonated with me and I’m excited to work with a team that has such deep knowledge and a genuine appetite for innovation.”

Looking ahead, James sees huge potential:

“The potential for AI in this space is enormous. We’re moving beyond simple process automation towards truly intelligent systems. I’m particularly excited about integrating more advanced AI and machine learning into Jobtrain's applicant tracking system – enabling smarter candidate matching, predictive insights, enhanced candidate engagement and helping to mitigate bias. AI will allow recruiters to focus on what matters most: building relationships and making informed, strategic hiring decisions.”

James’s appointment marks an exciting milestone in our journey. We’re committed to ensuring our ATS continues to lead the market – powered by ethical, effective and innovative AI.

If you're interested in learning more about us, our Jobtrain ATS and our AI vision, please contact us using the form below.

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