Kennedys

Global firm Kennedys has recruited two data scientists to bolster its growing data science team.

Dr Xi Liu (pictured) has joined Kennedys as part of its Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Manchester, in order to develop next-generation fraud prevention software. Holding two PhDs in applied statistics and computer science with business, Xi specialises in quantitative research methods and machine learning techniques.

Also joining the team is Dr Harvey Maddocks, who will focus on developing the use of data across the firm’s technology products for its insurance clients. Dr Maddocks has a PhD in particle physics, and specialises in data analysis, data mining, software development and machine learning.

Partner Richard West, who heads the liability division and also oversees the firm’s innovation activity, said: ‘We’ve achieved a great deal for clients with our Innovations Toolkit, but if we are to take it to the next level and create significant, business-changing outcomes for our clients, we need to develop our use of statistics, data and modern machine learning under Xi and Harvey’s guidance. As always, our aim remains to continually use technology to challenge existing practice and to help clients use lawyers only when they really need one.’