Somayeh Aghnia

Somayeh Aghnia is a technology strategist and entrepreneur who specialises in harmonising artificial intelligence with effective leadership and organisational change. As Chair of Geeks, the AI adoption consultancy she co-founded in 2008, and co-founder of both the London School of Innovation and WordUp, an AI language learning platform downloaded over five million times, she has built a distinguished track record at the intersection of technology, education, and business. Her work has earned recognition including the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation and the UK IT Industry Awards for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Through her speaking, podcast hosting, and thought leadership, Somayeh equips audiences with practical strategies to adopt AI responsibly, lead through digital transformation, and build inclusive cultures where innovation and human judgement coexist.

After co-founding Geeks in 2008 with a mission to solve London's technology talent shortage by training individuals from the ground up, Somayeh Aghnia has spent nearly two decades shaping how organisations adopt artificial intelligence and lead through digital transformation. Her approach has always centred on creating harmony between technology and human capability, building systems that prepare leaders not just to implement AI, but to govern it responsibly and inclusively. Recently transitioning from CEO to Chair of Geeks, she now focuses on the strategic intersection of technology, education, and business, working across her ventures to influence how the next generation of leaders will navigate an AI-powered future. Her journey from a 22-year-old Iranian immigrant to a recognised British technology entrepreneur reflects both personal determination and a commitment to opening doors for others in the sector.

Somayeh co-founded the London School of Innovation, a private higher education institution granted Degree Awarding Powers in 2026 by the Office for Students, enabling it to design and deliver its own AI-led postgraduate qualifications. This milestone reflects years of strategic development and regulatory scrutiny, positioning the institution as a credible alternative to traditional university models. She also created WordUp, an AI-driven language learning platform downloaded over five million times, designed for personalised learning at scale. Her entrepreneurial work has earned recognition including the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation and the UK IT Industry Awards for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Beyond her ventures, Somayeh contributes to sector-wide discourse through thought leadership and hosts "The Innovation Room" podcast, amplifying voices often underrepresented in mainstream conversations about technology and change. Her commitment to diversity extends throughout her work, including achieving 50% women on Geeks' senior leadership team and mentoring emerging leaders who challenge traditional norms in technology and business.

Somayeh helps audiences understand how to move decisively in the age of AI without losing sight of what makes leadership human. She explores practical questions around skills development, organisational readiness, and the evolving relationship between people and intelligent systems. Whether addressing future workforce strategies, the role of education in preparing leaders, or how to balance speed with trust, her insights are grounded in real-world application and designed to create lasting impact. Audiences leave with clarity on how to lead through uncertainty, adopt AI thoughtfully, and build cultures where innovation and responsibility coexist. Her approach is collaborative, forward-thinking, and deeply informed by lived experience at the frontier of technological and educational change.