Paul is a prominent thinker and researcher on the economic performance of different parts of the country, the impact this has on national economic performance and what this means for economic policy and industrial strategy.

He leads on The Data City’s thought leadership, showing how our data provides new insights into the performance of both the UK economy as a whole and its constituent parts.

Dr. Ola Sanda is a solutions analyst and data specialist with a proven record of bridging technology and business needs to achieve real-world impact. Ola brings together advanced academic qualifications with a Ph.D. in Computer Science and an MSc in Information Technology Professional with hands-on expertise in leading digital transformation initiatives, data analytics, and system optimisation. Across roles in industry, academia, and consultancy, Ola has led projects that connect operational and strategic objectives, delivering data-driven insights and reducing organisational complexity.

Ola has been instrumental in configuring and optimising ERP, WMS, CRM, and BI systems, producing the actionable reports and workflow enhancements that senior leaders rely on for strategic decisions. Ola has led the successful end-to-end implementation of a warehouse management system, one of the first of its kind in the UK tile industry. Ola has extensive experience managing public sector contracts and collaborating across multiple industries to simplify and deliver technical services. He excels in translating complex requirements into user-friendly solutions, enabling clients to access and interpret live market intelligence for impactful decision-making.

His data-driven approach consistently delivers measurable benefits: from securing grant funding and driving system adoption, to publishing research on blockchain, digital maturity, and AI-based operational models. With skills that span data analysis, stakeholder mapping, and regulatory compliance, Ola supports organisations to transform raw data into strategic intelligence, enabling evidence-led planning, process improvement, and digital innovation in both public and private sectors.