Publicis Sapient creates new VP data and AI lead role for Australia

Appoints industry veteran Gavin Seewooruttun in the newly minted role.

Digital transformation company Publicis Sapient has appointed Gavin Seewooruttun as VP, data and AI lead Australia, a newly created role for the organisation.

In this new role, Seewooruttun will help organisations transform customer experiences, create new revenue streams and drive operational excellence through harnessing data and AI.

Seewooruttun has spent over 20 years as a trusted advisor to clients at the intersection of technology, innovation and business.

Seewooruttun said when he met with Publicis Sapient’s leadership team, he was “immediately impressed” by their bold vision to transform how professional services can be delivered to clients.

“While many firms remain tied to legacy models built around monetising labour and billable hours, Publicis Sapient stood out by focusing on client experience and delivering tangible business outcomes,” he said.

“This forward-thinking approach resonated with me. I believe the impact of AI on professional services will be as transformative as the introduction of automation in manufacturing in that it will fundamentally reshape how work is done.”

Seewooruttun will focus on ensuring the company’s Australian clients are the first to benefit from the significant investments Publicis Sapient is making in transforming how they deliver data and software services.

“This means not only bringing new capabilities to market but also helping our clients identify and act on the opportunities these advancements create,” he said.

“We are committed to expanding our local talent base, strengthening partnerships, and building an ecosystem that accelerates innovation and impact for our clients. Ultimately, it’s about making sure Australian organisations are at the forefront of the next wave of digital transformation.”

While initial AI proof of concept initiatives in areas such as automation, customer experience and risk management have delivered value, there’s a challenge in scaling these operationally and securely across enterprises, Seewooruttun noted.

“Executives and boards are showing a strong appetite for AI but remain cautious about moving into full production, creating pent-up demand for trusted partners with real expertise in data and AI,” he said.

“That’s where Publicis Sapient’s platforms like Sapient Slingshot and Bhodi come in, giving clients the confidence to accelerate transformation at scale.”

Seewooruttun said at the same time, with the economic climate showing signs of improving, organisations are looking to activate previously deferred investments and modernise their systems.

“Publicis Sapient is uniquely positioned to help them do this, offering a disruptive, AI-driven approach that moves beyond traditional transformation models,” he added.

Before joining Publicis Sapient, he served as EY’s APAC consulting leader for AI and analytics.

During this time, he built one of the largest AI teams in the region, helping shape and execute the AI and data strategies of large financial institutions, government departments, resources companies and retailers.

Seewooruttun joined EY through the acquisition of C3, an award-winning data and analytics firm, where he was the Head of Analytics.

Prior to joining C3, Seewooruttun was Program Director at a major systems integrator, where he specialised in data-driven business transformation. In this role, he managed a global portfolio of major programs.

His global experience includes leading multi-disciplinary engineering, product and strategy teams. Most recently, Seewooruttun led the successful launch of Advaise, an AI-powered startup providing professional services automation solutions.

Seewooruttun brings more than 20 years of experience as a trusted advisor to clients at the intersection of technology, innovation and business.

“Throughout my career, I have worked across the data and AI landscape from multiple perspectives, including consulting, startups and client-side roles,” he said.

“This blend of professional services experience and entrepreneurial leadership has given me a deep understanding of both the strategic and practical challenges organisations face. I believe this combination positions me well to help Publicis Sapient’s clients lead through change.”

Seewooruttun will be based in Melbourne.