Member News: COMET appoints Dr Douglas Leith as Chief Intelligence Officer to drive innovation in data-driven decision making

February 6, 2025
Member News: COMET appoints Dr Douglas Leith as Chief Intelligence Officer to drive innovation in data-driven decision making

COMET, a UK-based specialist in investigation and assurance software designed for high-risk industries such as energy, construction, maritime, rail, and utilities, has announced that Dr Douglas Leith has taken on a new role as its new Chief Intelligence Officer (CIO). This newly created role reflects COMET’s commitment to advancing the way organisations gather, analyse, and utilise data to drive smarter, more strategic decision-making.

“Poor data leads to poor information. Poor information leads to poor intelligence. Poor intelligence leads to poor decision-making,” said Mark Rushton, CEO of COMET. “With Dr Leith’s appointment, we’re putting intelligence at the forefront, ensuring our tools and services empower businesses to make better, data-driven decisions.”

In his role, Dr Leith will oversee the optimisation of data, information, and intelligence within COMET’s product suite, as well as lead initiatives to improve data practices within client organisations. His work will ensure that COMET’s customers can rely on high-quality data and actionable intelligence to enhance both strategic and operational outcomes.

COMET’s focus on intelligence is already reflected in upcoming innovations. In 2025, COMET will launch an enhanced Signals module, designed to help professionals easily extract actionable insights from their data and proactively identify future risks. Additionally, the company’s new Data HealthCheck service is assisting clients in improving data collection methods, ensuring data quality, and streamlining information processing.

Dr Leith brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having started his career with a PhD in applied Artificial Intelligence nearly 40 years ago. “In many ways, AI’s role hasn’t changed—it’s always been about supporting human decision-making,” said Dr. Leith. “Back then, my work led to a commercial product that helped maintenance managers decide which machines to repair and when, offering intelligence to make more informed, timely decisions. Today, we’re using digital technologies to uncover hidden insights in data, empowering organisations to make the best decisions possible.”

With Dr Leith at the helm of COMET’s intelligence initiatives, the company is poised to redefine how businesses leverage data for smarter, safer, and more efficient operations

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

Contact Us
“

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
“

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
“

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
“

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
“

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise