London, UK — SAI has today announced the appointment of seasoned retail technology leader, Clare Hoole, who will spearhead the company’s UK expansion, as the leading AI intelligence solution provider continues its ambitious growth trajectory.
With extensive experience in helping retail businesses transform complex store operations through innovation to enhance CX and operational excellence, Clare has held senior positions at leading tech providers, including NCR Limited and latterly NCR Voyix, over the last two decades.
Joining SAI, Clare will be responsible for driving UK growth and will leverage her extensive tech expertise across store operations, self-checkout (SCO) and POS to help retailers run their bricks-and-mortar estates more efficiently, profitably and safely.
She will also support brands in creating insight-led retail strategies, using SAI’s Visual Language Model (VLM), which blends computer vision with GenAI, to turn traditionally ‘passive’ store surveillance systems into active, operational platforms for real-time store intelligence.
Commenting on her appointment, Clare said: “As AI becomes a driving force within the sector, SAI is innovating at the cutting edge of using that active intelligence to power physical retail, helping brands provide best-in-class CX, whilst reducing the cost of theft in-store, which remains a persistent challenge for retailers.”
“Continuous innovation sits at the heart of SAI’s operating model and culture, meaning it can support retailers’ evolving needs as they adapt at pace, making for an exciting and dynamic prospect,” she added.
“Clare brings a holistic and in-depth understanding of the innovation needed to drive retail businesses forward and help retailers navigate key challenges, from unlocking efficiencies to enhancing CX and proactively reducing crime in-store,” commented Som Sinha, CEO of SAI. “Clare will have an instrumental role in delivering our UK growth strategy, and we look forward to welcoming her to the growing team as we continue to build momentum.”
Clare’s appointment follows continued expansion at SAI, which grew global headcount by 50% in the last 12 months as it added a growing list of leading retailers to its roster of clients benefitting from its active intelligence solutions for stores.
SAI will be attending Retail Risk in June (London, 18 Jun 2026), where it will lead a round table with senior retailers on turning AI insight into in-store action, from customer flows and shelf conditions to safety and shrink. Led by CEO, Som Sinha, the discussion will focus on leveraging insight to fuel performance, while shifting from reactive ‘firefighting’ to proactive store management while still valuing customer privacy.