Rolling the Data Dice: An OEUK Digital & Data Conference Reflection

16/10/2025

Client Director, Danni McCarter reflects on October’s OEUK: a conference delving into the data and digital means that underpin the offshore energy sector.

Last week I attended the OEUK Digital and Data Conference, held in a really quite beautiful venue that used to be a casino. Pretty fitting, as in the world of digital and data, we may find ourselves playing our own version of roulette, spinning vast amounts of information and hoping to land on insights that deliver real business value. The trick, of course, is to stop gambling with data and start investing in it.

Although the event was industry-specific, the outcomes are valuable to all sectors.

The Power of Quality Data

The opening session reminded us that data, when managed correctly, is one of the most valuable assets an organisation holds. Yet, a staggering amount of it remains underutilised. Quality data must be defined, current, complete, and accurate, and when it’s not, it quickly becomes a liability. Poor data can directly impact cost and performance, while good data enables smarter decisions, predictive insights, and enterprise-wide alignment.

The message was clear: treat data like a physical asset. Invest in governance, culture, and collaboration. When you turn ‘bad’ data into ‘good’ data, the payoff isn’t luck, it’s measurable business intelligence and savings.

From Measurement to Meaning

Another session showcased what’s possible when organisations move from simply measuring data to actually using it. A real-time data transformation project demonstrated how automation and strong data pipelines enable teams to trust their information, report accurately, and focus their time on operational excellence and emissions reduction.

The standout quote? Millie Washington, Process Safety Data Engineer and Manager at BP, said, “If you don’t understand what real-world problem you’re trying to solve, it’s pointless looking at a solution.” It’s not about data collection, it’s about problem connection.

Making Data Work Harder

Despite the explosion of data across industries, less than 1% of it is used for decision-making - madness! One presentation highlighted the importance of transforming raw data into context-rich knowledge, shifting from information overload to informed action.

Data itself doesn’t drive performance; people and process do.

Thriving Amidst Turbulence

In an era of geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, and evolving regulations, digital transformation isn’t optional; it’s existential. The cost of inaction is steep: missed opportunities, reduced agility, and rising costs. The takeaway was simple, get in early, build from the start, and engage stakeholders to stay ahead of disruption.

People Power: Culture and Adoption

One of my favourite sessions explored why digital adoption lags behind digital availability. It’s not the technology, it’s the people. Legacy habits, skill gaps, risk aversion, and fear of redundancy all play their part. Leadership emerged as the key enabler: when leaders ‘walk the talk’, adoption follows, and a leader doesn’t mean ‘the boss’, anyone can be a leader.

True transformation happens when we educate, empower, and engage people. Emerging talent can be powerful at pushing new ways of working - a fresh pair of eyes, digitally native, and often unencumbered by legacy thinking. By connecting digital tools to meaningful outcomes and building champions from within, organisations can foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.

Technology creates value only when humans embrace it.

The AI Reality Check

Post-lunch came a lively session separating AI hype from reality. While most of the room agreed AI is overused as a buzzword, everyone acknowledged its staying power and potential. The consensus: AI won’t steal jobs, it will reshape them. As automation takes over repetitive tasks, the human element becomes even more critical, especially in highly regulated industries.

We’re entering the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, where technologies are syncing the digital and physical world. The pace of change over the next decade promises to be a step-up: an exciting time to be in the workforce! The opportunity lies in collaboration and innovation.

The Conclusion

Across every session, one theme resonated: success in digital and data transformation is not about technology alone; it’s about clarity, culture, and collaboration.
Whether you’re in energy, finance, healthcare, or another industry, the lessons are the same:

• Define your data and invest in its quality.
• Design systems that turn data into meaning.
• Empower people to lead, learn, and advocate for change.

And maybe most importantly, stop gambling with your data. Stack the odds in your favour.

At Grayce, we see firsthand how organisations can transform when they invest not just in technology, but in the people who make it meaningful. Our data analysts are embedded within businesses to help them build the right foundations, ensuring data is clean, connected, and driving smarter decisions. Whether it’s supporting governance frameworks, enhancing data pipelines, or unlocking the value of analytics, our Analysts turn insight into impact. Because in the end, success in digital transformation isn’t about luck, it’s about having the right people behind the data, and at Grayce we can help you do just that.

Find out more about how Grayce can build your data teams here.