I’m assembling a small, senior-level team to spearhead next-generation AI initiatives on a front-office trade desk within a major London bank. This is a long-term engagement (multi-year, outside IR35) and I need a lead consultant who can own the full lifecycle of predictive-driven, high-frequency, low-latency trading models. YOU MUST BE BASED IN LONDON What I need you to tackle • Shape the end-to-end AI strategy for real-time trading—from data acquisition through to live deployment and continuous optimisation. • Advise on, design, and build predictive analysis pipelines that draw on GenAI, deep learning, neural networks, reinforcement and supervised learning where they add measurable edge. • Stand up the data infrastructure: we currently have no pre-cleansed data sets, so you’ll formulate the collection, enrichment, and governance plan to fuel model training. • Collaborate closely with quant traders and technologists to translate trading signals into production-ready code that meets ultra-low-latency requirements. • Champion model interpretability, risk controls, and compliance, ensuring everything slots cleanly into existing FO systems. What success looks like • A robust data lake populated with high-quality market and trade data, fully documented. • Deployed predictive models that demonstrably improve execution quality and P&L. • Automated feedback loops for continuous learning, A/B testing, and performance reporting. • Clear knowledge transfer—playbooks, code reviews, and mentoring—for internal staff. Essentials • You are UK-based and fully eligible to work in the UK. • Proven track record delivering AI/ML solutions for high-frequency or ultra-low-latency trading environments. • Expert-level Python (NumPy, pandas, PyTorch/TensorFlow), plus familiarity with C++/Java for latency-sensitive components. • Comfortable navigating compliance, audit, and security demands of a tier-one bank. If you thrive on turning raw ideas into production-grade AI systems that move real money, let’s talk.