About us — AI software experts | Top Tier AI Software

Our story

Top Tier AI Software was founded in 2019 by a small group of data scientists and software engineers who shared a common frustration: too many businesses were being priced out of the AI revolution. Enterprise-grade machine-learning platforms carried enterprise-grade price tags, and the consulting firms that implemented them often left clients dependent on external support long after go-live.

We set out to change that equation. Operating from our base in Scotland, we built a practice that combines deep technical expertise with a genuine commitment to knowledge transfer. Every model we train, every pipeline we deploy and every dashboard we design is accompanied by thorough documentation and hands-on training so that your team can own the solution from the moment we hand it over.

Over the past six years we have grown from a three-person start-up to a multi-disciplinary team of more than thirty specialists. Along the way we have delivered AI software projects for logistics companies, healthcare providers, financial-services firms, retailers and public-sector organisations. Our portfolio is diverse, but our approach is consistent: listen carefully, prototype quickly, iterate relentlessly and measure everything.

Inside the Top Tier AI Software office in Scotland

Mission and values

Our mission is simple: to make sophisticated AI software accessible, understandable and genuinely useful for organisations of every size. We refuse to hide behind jargon or deliver black-box models that nobody on your team can explain. Transparency, accountability and impact are the pillars on which every engagement rests.

Transparency first

We explain how our models work, what data they use and where their limitations lie. You will never receive a recommendation without a clear rationale behind it. We believe trust is built through openness, and that applies to pricing as much as it does to algorithms.

Measurable impact

Every project begins with a clear definition of success — whether that is a reduction in processing time, an increase in prediction accuracy or a specific revenue target. We track metrics throughout the engagement and report on them honestly, even when the numbers challenge our assumptions.

Continuous learning

The AI landscape evolves at a staggering pace. Our engineers dedicate structured time each week to research, experimentation and peer review. We invest in certifications, attend international conferences and contribute to open-source projects so that our clients always benefit from the latest advances.

Client ownership

We design every solution with the goal of making ourselves redundant. Comprehensive documentation, pair-programming sessions and bespoke training workshops ensure that your internal team can maintain, extend and improve the AI software we build — long after our engagement ends.

Meet the leadership team

Behind every successful AI software project is a team that blends technical brilliance with commercial acumen. Our leadership group brings decades of combined experience in machine learning, cloud architecture, product management and business strategy.

Dr Fiona Hargreaves

Chief executive officer

Fiona holds a PhD in computational neuroscience from the University of Edinburgh and spent eight years leading data-science teams at a major UK bank before co-founding Top Tier AI Software. She sets the strategic direction and ensures every project aligns with our mission of accessible, impactful AI.

Marcus Chen

Chief technology officer

Marcus is a full-stack engineer turned ML architect with deep expertise in distributed systems, real-time inference and MLOps. He oversees all technical delivery and is the driving force behind our proprietary model-deployment framework, which cuts time-to-production by up to 40 %.

Priya Nair

Head of client success

Priya bridges the gap between technology and business outcomes. With a background in management consulting and a passion for user-centred design, she ensures that every AI software solution we deliver is not only technically sound but also genuinely adopted by the people who use it every day.

James Whitfield

Head of data engineering

James brings 20 years of experience in data architecture, ETL pipelines and cloud infrastructure. He has designed data platforms for FTSE 250 companies and now leads our engineering guild, ensuring that every dataset we touch is clean, governed and ready for high-performance modelling.

Key milestones

Our journey from a small start-up to a trusted AI software partner has been marked by steady growth, meaningful client relationships and a relentless focus on quality.

2019 — Founded in Edinburgh

Three co-founders launched Top Tier AI Software with a single client and a vision to democratise artificial intelligence for mid-market businesses across Scotland and the wider United Kingdom.

2020 — First enterprise contract

Secured a multi-year engagement with a national logistics provider, deploying predictive-routing algorithms that reduced fuel costs by 18 % across a fleet of 400 vehicles.

2021 — Team expansion

Grew to 15 team members and opened a dedicated research lab focused on natural-language processing and document intelligence for the legal and healthcare sectors.

2023 — 100th project milestone

Celebrated the delivery of our 100th AI software project, spanning industries from retail and finance to energy and public services. Client retention stood at 97 %.

2025 — Continued growth

With a team of over 30 specialists and a growing international client base, we continue to push the boundaries of what AI software can achieve for organisations of every size.

About our AI software company