IFS has appointed Kriti Sharma as CEO of IFS Nexus Black, the company’s AI innovation accelerator focused on developing domain-specific AI tools for industries such as manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and construction. The appointment reflects IFS’s intention to expand its work in agentic AI, particularly for asset- and service-heavy sectors.
Sharma is an experienced AI leader known for her work in building enterprise-grade AI systems and promoting responsible AI practices. She most recently served as Chief Product Officer for LegalTech at Thomson Reuters, where she led major AI initiatives. Her earlier roles include senior AI positions at Sage Group and GfK, and she currently sits on the board of Rightmove PLC as a non-executive director. Sharma has been recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30, the UK Prime Minister’s Points of Light award, and the United Nations, which named her a Young Leader for her work in ethical AI.
At Nexus Black, Sharma will be responsible for overseeing the development of agentic AI applications intended to address practical, industry-specific problems.
“GenAI was just the starting line. The real opportunity lies beyond generic tools,” Sharma said. “The revolution happens with contextual, agentic AI that solves deeply complex, industry-specific problems. From predicting critical asset failures to optimising global supply chains, with Nexus Black we’re not just building AI – we’re building intelligence that works in the real world.”
Nick Vandivere, also from Thomson Reuters, has been named Chief Innovation Officer of Nexus Black. He will focus on expanding IFS’s AI pipeline and supporting Sharma in accelerating the delivery of new AI capabilities across the IFS Cloud platform.
IFS CEO Mark Moffat said the appointments mark a key stage in the company’s AI roadmap.
“This is a critical moment in our AI journey. We’re not just exploring what’s possible, we’re building what’s needed. With Kriti at the helm of Nexus Black and an exceptional team of leaders driving innovation across our business, IFS is uniquely positioned to deliver Industrial AI that is contextual, agentic, and deeply relevant to the industries we serve.”
Nexus Black was launched earlier this year to focus on the development of Industrial AI and automation solutions. Sharma’s appointment signals IFS’s continued investment in building AI tools that address challenges related to infrastructure, maintenance, and operations in complex industrial environments.
Discussion about this post