DR. JOHN VOURGANAS
MSc · PhD · CEng
AI Governance
Executive
AI systems in regulated environments don't fail because the technology is wrong.
Risk
Assurance
I design that layer. Then I build what sits beneath it.
Governance
Information systems, AI integration, and digital transformation, governed at the level where they actually carry regulatory and operational risk.
Credentials & Recognition
Academic Formation
I hold a PhD in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Strathclyde, specialising in explainable (XAI), accountable, robust, and transparent AI for regulated environments. The doctorate was a build, not a thesis exercise: a complete explainability and model-audit system, engineered end to end from hardware to model, and proven in a live regulated clinical setting.
My academic background integrates engineering, computer science, and socio-technical governance, combining technical depth with regulatory and ethical frameworks across:
Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
Cybersecurity and Secure Systems Engineering
Human-Centered AI Design
Technology Ethics and Regulatory Policy
Degrees:
PhD: Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, University of Strathclyde
MSc: Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Strathclyde
BEng (Hons): Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Systems Engineered
Beyond governing AI, I design and build the systems themselves, end to end.
My engineered systems include:
Etheras, an AI cybersecurity and governance platform.
A formal AI governance assessment engine.
Private large-language-model deployments inside regulated payments environments.
An agentic-AI oversight control plane that governs autonomous agents at the point of action.
The explainability and model-audit system that formed my doctoral work.
This combination, governance depth alongside hands-on systems engineering, is uncommon at executive level and is the core of how I work.
Institutional Appointments & Public Recognition
I am a Certified National Evaluator of Research and Innovation Projects, appointed by the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI), Hellenic Ministry of Development and Investments, performing independent technical and strategic evaluation of nationally funded innovation programmes under Research–Innovate 2021–2027, assessing projects across:
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Digital Innovation Systems
Responsible Technology Deployment
I serve as External Academic Evaluator at two Hellenic national defence institutions, the Hellenic Military Academy (Evelpidon) and the Hellenic Air Force Academy (School of Icarus), contributing to faculty appointment and promotion processes at the intersection of AI, infrastructure security, and innovation in regulated environments.
Academic teaching appointments include Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at Abertay University and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Law, supporting postgraduate education and professional training in AI governance, trustworthy systems, and applied machine learning.
Earlier in my career I contributed to interdisciplinary research at the University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow, working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, governance, and applied digital systems.
Executive & Industry Leadership
I have held senior executive roles across regulated industry environments, leading the operational deployment of AI systems under strict compliance and governance constraints:
Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Netrity Ltd / Etheras Platform
AI Strategy & Governance Advisor, Confidential Swiss Client (Switzerland)
Chief Technology Officer, Clydescope Health Ltd
Across these roles I have designed, built, and governed AI systems in production, with focus on:
AI governance implementation aligned with EU AI Act, revFADP, and FINMA expectations
Real-time cybersecurity and fraud-detection systems
AI risk classification and auditability frameworks
Private, in-house AI deployment in regulated payments and healthcare infrastructure
Competitive Funding & Research Awards
I have contributed to and led multiple internationally funded research and innovation programmes across the United Kingdom and Europe, with cumulative supported project value exceeding £12M+.
Selected competitive awards include:
Innovate UK, Transformative Technologies Programme
Horizon Europe CYRENE Programme Award
MyCancer mAI Care Programme (Co-Principal Investigator)
HaSS Bridging Disciplines Programme: "Predicting Healthy Ageing and Age-Related Disorders using the UK Biobank Database" (Named Co-Investigator ) , a multidisciplinary consortium spanning biomedical sciences, digital health, computer science, and engineering
CAPITA–University of Strathclyde Engineering Studentship
These initiatives span cybersecurity, healthcare AI, trustworthy infrastructure, and responsible automation systems.
Professional Memberships & Scientific Service
I maintain active membership and scientific service roles across international engineering and AI governance communities:
IEEE: Member & AI Ethics Community · IEEE AI Ethics Champion
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Energy Institute
Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) , Chartered Electrical & Computer Engineer
I serve regularly as reviewer for leading international journals in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Secure Systems.
Independent Academic & Advisory Contributions
Beyond executive and research leadership, I contribute to interdisciplinary AI governance through academic supervision, curriculum leadership, policy translation, and cross-sector advisory work, supporting the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in high-impact environments.