Hi, I'm David Rey

I love leading people, particularly to enable business with applied data science and AI. Former Chief Data Officer at several corporates with proven managerial competencies,
Entrepreneurship is within my DNA, I help make things happen either in my own company or in a corporate.
Another passion is training and research, with an extensive experience as a lecturer in the data analytics field, and recently in AI and machine learning.

20+ Years Experience
3 Companies Founded
11+ Publications
CDO at Idealista

AI Strategy Executive, Organizational Change Training

I can help you build high-performing data organisations and championing a data-driven mindset. Coach for senior leaders in the data & AI field

Professional Background

Education and Academic Excellence

2024

Driving Strategic Innovation Program

IMD & MIT

Executive program focused on strategic innovation leadership and cutting-edge business transformation methodologies

View Program
2019 - 2024

PhD in Economics

Summa cum laude

Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)

Madrid, Spain - Thesis on computational econometrics, machine learning applied on House Price Indices

2016 - 2017

Master's in Statistical Learning

Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)

Advanced statistical methods and machine learning

2007 - 2008

Executive MBA

IE University - Campus Madrid

Madrid, Spain - Strategic management and business leadership

1997 - 1999

Master's in Computer Science

Universidad de Oviedo

Oviedo, Asturias, Spain - Specialization in software engineering and artificial intelligence

1993 - 1997

Engineering Degree in Computer Science

Universidad de Oviedo

Oviedo, Asturias, Spain - Specialization in software engineering

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Founding and Leading Innovative Technology Companies

ExternalTest

Founder & CTO

Web Monitoring & Observability SaaS

Founded a specialized Software-as-a-Service platform focused on web monitoring and observability solutions. Delivering comprehensive monitoring tools that help businesses maintain optimal web performance and user experience.

SaaS Platform Web Monitoring Observability Performance Analytics

Scoremind

Founder & CEO

AutoML Customer Lifecycle Management

Created an innovative Software-as-a-Service solution for automatic machine learning modeling, specifically designed for customer lifecycle management. Empowering businesses with automated ML capabilities to optimize customer relationships and retention strategies.

AutoML Customer Analytics Lifecycle Management Predictive Modeling

Wildbit Studios

Founder & COO & Backend lead

Independent Video Game Studio

Established an independent video game studio specializing in free-to-play mobile games and high-end console games for PlayStation platforms. Combining technical expertise with creative vision to deliver engaging gaming experiences across multiple platforms.

Mobile Gaming PlayStation Development Free-to-Play Game Design

Professional Experience & Leadership

AI Leadership and Data Science Education Excellence

Chief Data Officer & AI Leader

Idealista
2017 - 2025

Leading comprehensive AI and data strategy initiatives at Spain's premier real estate platform. Spearheading cutting-edge AI implementations, managing cross-functional data science teams, and driving organization-wide AI culture and strategic innovation.

Key AI Projects & Initiatives:
  • Natural language search engine using generative models
  • Multimodal (video, text, image) search engine implementation
  • Real Estate Market models based on ML and Generative AI
  • CTA optimization models for improved user engagement
  • Content moderation using traditional and generative AI
  • Agentic applications for operations optimization
  • AI training programs and strategic culture promotion
AI Strategy Generative AI Multimodal AI Team Leadership Data Strategy ML Implementation AI Culture

Director - Data Science Master's Program

The Valley Business School
2020 - present

Directing and developing comprehensive data science education programs, curriculum design, and academic excellence. Training the next generation of data scientists and AI professionals with industry-relevant skills and knowledge.

Academic Excellence Recognition:
Best Program Director Award - Course 2023-24
Best Program Director Award - Course 2021-22
Curriculum Design Academic Leadership Program Development Student Mentoring Award Winner

Chief Data Officer

Equifax Spain & Portugal
2014 - 2014

Active member of the world's largest computing society, staying current with technological advances and contributing to the computing community through research and professional development.

Key Projects & Initiatives:
  • Data Strategy Plans (2014-2017)
  • Data asset inventory valuation model
  • Acquisition of new data sources
  • Utilities Bureau Portugal
Equifax International Awards:
Best innovative application 2016 - Equifax US
Data Partnerships Data Strategy Data Governance

Speaking Engagements & Events

Regular speaker at industry conferences and academic events, sharing expertise in data science, machine learning, and real estate analytics.

Conference presentations on temporal disaggregation methods
Methodology workshops for rental price indices construction
Industry talks on machine learning in real estate markets

Core Competencies & Skillset

Comprehensive expertise across data science, AI leadership, and organizational transformation

Data & AI Strategy

Enterprise-wide vision, operating model and investment roadmap

Leadership, Culture Change & Executive Data-Literacy Training

Building high-performing data organisations and championing a data-driven mindset. Coaching senior leaders and up-skilling the wider workforce

Advanced Machine Learning, Generative AI & Statistics

From classical modelling to cutting-edge foundation-model techniques

Modern Data Architecture (Cloud, Lakehouse, Mesh)

Scalable platforms, integration and observability

MLOps & AI Engineering Lifecycle Management

CI/CD for models, monitoring, model-risk management

Value Realisation & Data-Product Monetisation & Partnerships

Linking use-cases to P&L impact, pricing and commercialisation of data products

Sourcing, contracting and co-innovation with hyperscalers, SaaS and start-ups

Compelling Data Storytelling & Stakeholder Influence

Translating insights into action for C-suite and board

Data Product Thinking & Innovation Portfolio Management

Agile delivery, rapid experimentation, GenAI incubation

Languages

Spanish

Native

English

Professional (C2 CEFR)

Italian

Advanced

German

Basic

Scientific Research Activity

Publications and Research Contributions

11+ Published Papers
Multiple International Journals
Focus Areas Real Estate Analytics, ML, Urban Studies
2025

Intra-urban house prices in Madrid following the financial crisis

npj Urban Sustainability

Exploration of spatial inequality in housing prices in Madrid after the financial crisis.

View Publication
2024

Improving hedonic housing price models by integrating optimal accessibility indices

Expert Systems with Applications

Integration of accessibility indices into regression and random forest analyses for better housing price models.

View Publication
2024

Using machine learning to identify spatial market segments

Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science

Reproducible study of major Spanish markets using machine learning techniques for market segmentation.

View Publication
2024

Relación entre precios de alquiler en portales inmobiliarios y precios de mercado

EURE Journal

Evidence for the Community of Madrid analyzing the relationship between rental prices on real estate portals and market prices.

View Publication
2024

Impacto de la morfología urbana en la segmentación del mercado de la vivienda

Ciudad y Territorio Estudios Territoriales

Case study of Madrid analyzing the impact of urban morphology on housing market segmentation.

View Publication

Get In Touch

Let's level up together your next project

Professional Services

  • AI Strategy & Implementation
  • Data Science & AI Consulting
  • Executive Training & Speaking
  • Startup & Technology Consulting
  • Real Estate Analytics
  • Academic Research Collaboration
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