Overstone hires new Head of Data Science

Overstone is proud to announce Christopher Mann as the company’s Head of Data Science to further advance and develop Overstone’s unique risk tools for the use of art as asset. Chris is joining Overstone from his role as Lead Data Scientist at Deloitte, and will bring a decade of experience in data science and advanced analytics to the team. Chris will be in responsible for further developing Overstone’s data analytics and AI capabilities, for both liquidity and other art inherent values.

Chris has extensive experience in data science and advanced analytics, working for organisations including Rolls-Royce, BMW, Unilever, Network Rail and the Home Office. Most recently he has led a team of data scientists to develop a state-of-the-art demand forecasting capability for Deloitte. Chris brings expertise in a wide range of areas, including frequentist and Bayesian statistics, optimisation, data mining, agile and software development. Chris holds a BSc in Physics, an MSc in Nuclear Technology (specialising in probabilistic modelling of uncertainty) and is a chartered engineer and member of the Institute of Physics and Institution of Engineering Technology.

CEO Harco van den Oever had to comment, “We’re delighted to welcome Chris to the team with his wealth of knowledge and experience. Chris is a valuable addition to Overstone, and will not just enhance Overstone’s subject matter expertise, but will also be responsible for growing Overstone’s data team, as we continue to expand.” 

Overstone’s unique data analytics, measuring downside risk for art, power new solutions for liquidity release from art. Overstone’s risk profiling products can give real-time access to the data of a collection and easy to understand reporting, with full service end-to end support for transactions.  Art has long been considered a passion investment, with 75% in private collections considered “dead” assets, unleveraged and amassing maintenance costs. The increasing integration of data and technology into the art world is opening new opportunities for releasing liquidity from this non-bankable asset. risk management tools like Overstone’s offer a happy medium that supports the use of art as a financial asset. 

“The art market has leapt ahead in the last year, in its understanding of the vast potential in use of data. I am excited to join Overstone to lead new developments and applications in the field” Chris Mann said of his appointment. “Art assets incur legal and maintenance costs balanced against potential price appreciation, so understanding the full financial potential of an artwork is only the next level towards a holistic wealth management strategy.

We look forward to sharing Overstone’s growing arsenal of art risk profiling tools with you – sign up to our mailing list for early access to this news.