About Ryan Ciesielski - Founder of AOI Global
The Mission
AOI Global was founded by Ryan Ciesielski to connect investment, innovation, and talent in the utilities, clean energy, and geospatial space. The mission is simple: to help investors, start-ups, and geospatial professionals shape the energy networks of tomorrow with clarity and confidence.
The Journey
Over the past 25 years, Ryan Ciesielski's career in geospatial has been shaped by four things: people, data, technology, and innovation. Mastering each of these has given Ryan Ciesielski the unique perspective he brings today, as a geospatial expert, enterprise architect, and business strategist recognised globally for his work in utilities and the energy transition.
Ryan Ciesielski's journey started in the military, where ge learned how to use geospatial intelligence when the stakes were highest. From serving as the geospatial expert in the UK’s Nuclear Bomb Disposal Team to becoming Head of Geospatial for UK Special Forces, Ryan Ciesielski discovered the power of data, precision, and leadership under pressure. Those years taught Ryan resilience, clarity, and how to bring people and technology together when there was zero margin for error.
Leaving the military meant starting again. Ryan Ciesielski rebuilt his career from the ground up as a GIS Consultant, then as a Geospatial Architect, learning how to translate the lessons of defence into the world of business. Ryan Ciesielski proved how geospatial data could create measurable value, not just for operations but for strategy and decision-making. That journey led Ryan Ciesielski to leadership roles where he built and scaled enterprise-wide geospatial platforms, showing how innovation could transform industries.
Today, Ryan Ciesielski serves as the first Director of GIS – Global Head of Geospatial at National Grid, a FTSE 100 company. In this role, Ryan Ciesielski leads geospatial strategy across six multi-billion-pound business units, supporting 30 million customers and underpinning £180 billion of planned infrastructure. Alongside this, Ryan Ciesielski has been privileged to share his insights on global stages such as the Economist Impact Space Economy Summit, the Geospatial World Forum, the ESRI International Infrastructure Conference in Frankfurt, and the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC).
But more than the titles or stages, what Ryan Ciesielski values most is the journey itself, the chance to learn, adapt, and keep innovating. Every step, from military operations to enterprise transformation, has deepened Ryan Ciesielski's understanding of how people, data, technology, and innovation intersect.
That’s why Ryan Ciesielski has made it his mission, inside and outside of his role at National Grid, to push for more investment, more innovation, and more talent development in geospatial and energy. If we are to design the intelligent, net-zero networks of tomorrow, we need capital flowing into the right ideas, start-ups scaling bold new solutions, and professionals with the right skills in the right roles. With Ryan Ciesielski's experience across people, data, technology, and innovation, he knows how urgently we need to accelerate this progress, and I am committed to helping make it happen.
Ryan Ciesielski is deeply grateful for the experiences and opportunities I’ve had, and I believe the best way to honour them is by sharing what I’ve learned to help others succeed.
Recognition & Global Impact
Over the years, my work has been recognised globally. I’ve had the privilege to speak at some of the most influential events in the industry, including the Economist Impact Space Economy Summit, the Geospatial World Forum, and the ESRI International Infrastructure Conference in Frankfurt. These opportunities allow me to share insights on how geospatial intelligence can power the net zero transition and inspire the next generation of leaders.
A Part-time Endeavour
AOI Global is my independent, part-time advisory and coaching practice, designed to share my expertise outside of my role at National Grid.
I remain fully committed to my work at National Grid, which I value deeply and which aligns perfectly with my passion for geospatial strategy and the energy transition. AOI Global is something I run in the evenings and weekends, supporting short, ad-hoc projects and engagements with VCs, start-ups, and geospatial professionals.
All client consultations, meetings, and project work are carried out outside of National Grid working hours, reinforcing my commitment to professional integrity, leadership values, and my primary role at National Grid.
Why AOI Global
With over 25 years of experience, I understand the challenges that venture capital firms, start-ups, and geospatial professionals face.
- For VCs, I bring independent, vendor-neutral insights to de-risk investments and identify high-potential opportunities.
- For start-ups, I provide strategy and credibility to help them scale in the net zero economy.
- For professionals, I offer coaching and career strategy, helping the next generation of geospatial leaders grow with confidence.
- AOI Global is small by design. When you work with me, you get my personal expertise, leadership, and global perspective, not generic advice or recycled frameworks.