2019 winner

Kingston Smith

KS Cohere uses AI machine learning capabilities to streamline the audit process allowing KS to be less numbers-focused and more client-focused. A translator pulls everything together so that it can be viewed at once. With client data in one location the production of working papers, management accounts, KPI dashboards, financial statements and much more is automated. Time is spent interpreting and auditing the numbers not preparing them. All clients get access to market-leading data analytics tools, regardless of how sophisticated their finance systems are. It can pull in and analyse data from 350 different sources designed specifically for financial information.

Lucy Porter, Becky Shields, Maureen Penfold and Vanish Patel (Kingston Smith) with Adam Groves (Barclays)

“KS Cohere was tailor-made by our innovative team to offer clients faster access to relevant business data in real-time, enabling them to make better business decisions more quickly. It’s been revolutionary in equipping clients with the information and advice they need to improve their businesses, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to receive this highly sought-after award in recognition of our innovative business process.”
Maureen Penfold, Managing Partner at Kingston Smith

2nd place

White & Case

White & Case has created a global disputes practice-technology strategy, which includes best-in-class tools, portable technology solutions for data privacy, and a seasoned technology and project-management staff. Central to this are advanced analytics using sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to analyse and distil large data sets such as email or chat/IM communications to learn who was talking to who, about what, and when. The technology reduces client costs as analysis and categorisation can be done electronically, while also providing a strategic advantage in the form of quicker and more accurate identification of key information.