Emma McGrattan Ascends to Chief Technology Officer at Actian, Driving Data Innovations

Actian Welcomes Emma McGrattan as New Chief Technology Officer

Actian, the data and analytics branch of HCLSoftware, has made headlines recently with the promotion of Emma McGrattan to the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This pivotal appointment is poised to streamline and enhance the company's technology strategy, innovation, product development, and research agenda, all with the aim of bolstering Actian's goal: to simplify how customers integrate, discover, govern, and analyze data at an enterprise scale.

Emma McGrattan steps into her new role after having previously served as the Senior Vice President of Engineering and Product, where she led the development of the Actian Data Platform, the company's inaugural cloud offering. With a career that spans over 30 years, she has significantly contributed to the architecture of Actian's core analytics, data integration, and data management solutions. McGrattan has a proven track record of successfully overseeing various technology acquisitions, all of which have shaped Actian's continuous evolution and adaptation within the tech landscape.

Among her immediate objectives as CTO is the integration of data discovery capabilities accrued through the recent acquisition of Zeenea. This strategic move is believed to enhance Actian's offerings by providing customers with comprehensive solutions. Now, clients will benefit from an end-to-end suite that includes essential features such as data integration, data quality management, data governance, and analytics, as well as sophisticated tools like metadata management, data cataloging, data lineage, and observability.

Marc Potter, CEO of Actian, articulated the ongoing challenges that businesses face due to the complexities of data. He noted the increasing need for robust data solutions that can maximize the value of the data collected. Under McGrattan's leadership and technological vision, he is confident that Actian will continue to innovate and deliver solutions that address these pressing issues, allowing customers to accelerate their innovation processes while gaining a competitive edge.

In her own words, McGrattan acknowledges that
"customers’ biggest concerns for AI initiatives are data quality and compliance, which is prompting organizations to rethink their traditional data strategies." She added that her focus as CTO will be to enhance Actian’s products to facilitate easier data access, ensuring that data is accurate and suitable for its intended purpose. This entails strengthening data governance and improving data quality, thus establishing trustworthiness among users.

In addition to her executive responsibilities, McGrattan is also an inventor, holding several patents. She is frequently invited to speak on pertinent trends within data management, digital transformation, and best practices at various industry conventions. Her advocacy for women in technology roles further establishes her as a role model, as she actively mentors others to foster inclusive environments in the tech industry.

For insights on data management trends set to reshape business in 2025, readers are encouraged to visit her personal blog, titled "Four Data Management Trends Reshaping Business in 2025: A CTO's Perspective on What's Next."

About Actian

Actian simplifies the way organizations handle their data. Their intelligence solutions are designed to support businesses in integrating, discovering, governing, and analyzing data at enterprise scale. Committed to paving the path for confident, data-driven decisions, Actian’s solutions work seamlessly across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments to drive business growth and performance. For further information, you can explore their offerings at actian.com.