Introducing Rachel O’Keeffe - Our New Talent Partner

Introducing Rachel O'Keeffe

As WeBuild-AI continues its exciting, we're delighted to welcome Rachel O'Keeffe as our new Talent Partner. Rachel joins us at a pivotal moment in our journey, as we scale our team of AI innovators to meet growing demand from our customers. We sat down with Rachel to discuss her vision for talent acquisition and development at WeBuild-AI, her passion for building high-performing teams, and what attracted her to join our AI-native consultancy.

Q: Rachel, welcome to WeBuild-AI! What inspired you to take on this role?

A: Thank you! I'm thrilled to be joining WeBuild-AI at such an exciting time. What really drew me to this opportunity was the chance to build something truly special from the ground up. There's something incredibly rewarding about joining a company at this early stage, where I can help shape the talent strategy and culture as we grow.

The company's vision of transforming how businesses leverage AI is compelling, and the energy here is palpable. I've always been passionate about connecting innovative companies with exceptional talent, and WeBuild-AI presents the perfect canvas to do this work. When I spoke with the founding team and saw their commitment to building not just a consulting firm but a true AI-native powerhouse, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

Q: How do you see your role contributing to WeBuild-AI's mission?

A: At its core, my role is about finding and nurturing the exceptional talent that will drive WeBuild-AI's continued success. We're building solutions that are reshaping how enterprises approach AI, and that requires a special kind of team – people who are not only technically brilliant but also entrepreneurial, adaptable, and passionate about solving complex problems.

I see myself as an architect of possibility, creating the foundation that will allow us to scale thoughtfully while preserving the innovative culture that makes WeBuild-AI special. This means developing talent acquisition strategies that go beyond traditional recruiting, establishing onboarding processes that set our people up for success from day one, and building talent development pathways that allow our team members to grow alongside the company.

"People are at the heart of any successful transformation. By bringing together diverse, forward-thinking innovators, we're building the team that will help our clients navigate the AI revolution with confidence."

Q: What excites you most about building the team at WeBuild-AI?

A: What excites me most is the opportunity to curate a team of extraordinary innovators who will collectively shape the future of AI consulting.

I'm particularly energised by the chance to build a diverse team that brings different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking to the table. In AI, where innovation moves at lightning speed, this diversity of thought isn't just nice to have – it's essential for staying ahead of the curve and creating solutions that truly resonate with a wide range of clients.

Also, there's something special about connecting talented people with opportunities where they can do the best work of their careers. Seeing someone thrive in a role that perfectly matches their skills and aspirations is incredibly rewarding, and I can't wait to create those moments here at WeBuild-AI.

Q: How do you plan to build on the existing culture as the company grows?

A: The foundation that's already in place at WeBuild-AI is impressive – there's a strong emphasis on innovation, autonomy, and collaboration that's really clear even in these early days. My approach will be to preserve and amplify these cultural elements while introducing scalable processes that can support our growth.

Culture isn't something that happens by accident – it requires intentionality and care, especially during periods of rapid growth. I'll be working closely with the leadership team to ensure we're clear about our values and consistently embedding them in everything from our hiring decisions to our day-to-day interactions.

One specific area I'm focusing on is designing an onboarding experience that immediately immerses new team members in our culture and sets them up for success. First impressions matter enormously, and I want everyone who joins us to feel welcomed, supported, and inspired from day one. This means creating structured onboarding programs that balance technical training with cultural integration and relationship-building.

Q: How will you leverage your transferable skills while developing in new areas?

A: Throughout my career, I've developed a strong foundation in talent acquisition and relationship building that will transfer seamlessly to this role. My ability to understand people's motivations, assess their potential, and connect them with the right opportunities will be invaluable as we scale our team.

At the same time, I'm excited to expand my horizons into broader People Operations. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to develop my skills in areas like talent development and performance management. I'm particularly interested in exploring how we can use AI tools in our own people processes – there's something compelling about a company that lives its own technology philosophy internally.

The beauty of joining a growing company like WeBuild-AI is that there's room to evolve and shape your role as the organization's needs change. I see myself as a perpetual learner, and I'm eager to grow alongside the company, picking up new skills and capabilities that will help us build an exceptional team and workplace.

Q: What are your priorities as you get started in this role?

A: My immediate priority is to establish a robust talent acquisition framework that can support our ambitious growth plans. This includes refining our employer brand messaging, streamlining our recruitment processes, and building relationships with key talent communities in the AI and consulting spaces. We also need to ensure our next few hires are carefully identified and bought on board ASAP.

In parallel, I'll be working on talent development initiatives that ensure our team members have clear growth paths and opportunities to enhance their skills with the founding team. The field of AI is evolving rapidly, and we need to ensure our team stays at the cutting edge through continuous learning and development.

Q: What would you say to someone considering a career at WeBuild-AI?

A: If you're passionate about being at the forefront of AI innovation and want to work on challenges that genuinely matter, WeBuild-AI offers an extraordinary opportunity. We're building something special here – a company that's redefining how enterprises approach AI transformation, with a team of brilliant, collaborative people who are excited to push boundaries.

What makes us different is our AI-native approach, our agility, and our commitment to continuous learning and innovation. If you thrive in dynamic environments, want significant autonomy and responsibility, and are excited by the prospect of growing with a company that's on a remarkable trajectory, we want to talk to you.

Q: You'll be at AWS Summit London – what are you hoping to accomplish there?

A: Yes, I'm really looking forward to attending AWS Summit London! It's the perfect opportunity to connect with subject matter experts who are at the cutting edge of AI, cloud technologies, and digital transformation. I'll be at the WeBuild-AI booth throughout the day, eager to meet talented professionals who are excited about the possibilities of AI-native consulting.

What I love about events like this is the chance to have meaningful conversations about career aspirations and possibilities. If you're attending the Summit and interested in learning more about our growing team and the exciting opportunities at WeBuild-AI, please stop by our booth for a chat. I'm particularly keen to connect with individuals who have expertise in AI, data engineering, cloud architecture, or consulting, but I'm open to meeting anyone passionate about the transformative potential of these technologies.

"The AWS Summit brings together the brightest minds in the industry – exactly the kind of talent we're looking to attract at WeBuild-AI. I'm excited to share our story and vision with potential team members who want to be part of our journey."

Closing Comments

The addition of Rachel O'Keeffe to WeBuild-AI's talent team marks an important milestone in our growth journey. Her expertise in talent acquisition and passion for building high-performing teams will be instrumental as we scale our organisation to meet the growing demand for our AI solutions. Co-Founders Ben Saunders & Mark Simpson had this to say about Rachel joining the business:

"Bringing Rachel onboard represents a critical investment in our future. As we continue to grow, our ability to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent will be fundamental to our success. Rachel's vision for talent acquisition aligns perfectly with our ambitions, and her enthusiasm for building an AI-native consulting team is exactly what we need at this stage of our journey. We're thrilled to welcome her to the WeBuild-AI family."

Join Our Growing Team!

Inspired by Rachel's vision for talent at WeBuild-AI? You could be our next hire! At WeBuild-AI, we're building the team that will define the future of AI consulting.

🚀 We're Hiring! 🚀

We're looking for passionate, forward-thinking individuals who are ready to push the boundaries of AI, data & digital consulting. Whether you're an AI expert, a seasoned consultant, or a tech enthusiast with a knack for problem-solving, we might have the perfect role for you. Check out our list of current open roles.

Attending AWS Summit London? Come meet Rachel at Booth B18 along with the rest of the WeBuild-AI team to discuss exciting career opportunities in AI consulting!