Growing up in California with a father working in Silicon Valley, Jess was naturally drawn to numbers and logical thinking. However, her decision to pursue finance rather than engineering was partly about forging her own path.
“My dad suggested engineering, so naturally, I chose finance,” Jess recalls with a laugh. “I wanted to find my own way, and finance felt like the right challenge.”
Early Career: A Baptism by Fire
Jess began her professional career at FTI Consulting, where she was quickly immersed in demanding, high-stakes work.
“They threw me into the deep end,” she says. “I was only a year or two out of college but attending management meetings and dealing directly with clients.”
This intense exposure helped her rapidly develop professional skills, but it also introduced her to the emotional realities of restructuring work.
One moment in particular stayed with her.
“I was part of the team that had to go to an airport in Belfast to let go of the entire crew when Thomas Cook was going under,” she explains. “It was incredibly tough.”
“That experience made me realise the importance of empathy in business and reinforced my belief that leadership should always involve compassion.”
Breaking New Ground in Private Equity
After moving to the UK, Jess joined AlixPartners, where she transitioned from restructuring into enterprise improvement work focused on private equity value creation.
One project became a defining experience: supporting Parques Reunidos, a private equity-owned leisure park business, during the chaos of COVID-19.
“Managing business plans in the middle of the pandemic sparked my interest in private equity,” Jess explains.
“It was challenging, but incredibly rewarding to help the company navigate such turbulent conditions.”
This experience strengthened her desire to work more closely on growth strategies, which led her to join Aurelius, a private equity firm.
However, her time there revealed deeper cultural challenges.
Jess discovered she was the first female hire in a team of more than 100 men.
“I didn’t realise until my first day,” she recalls. “The gender imbalance was striking.”
Although the experience was difficult, it strengthened her resolve.
“It motivated me to help pave the way for other women in the industry. It taught me resilience and reinforced the importance of pushing for diversity.”
Founding Intriq AI
Jess’s experiences in private equity revealed a recurring problem. Many companies were so focused on operational issues that they lost sight of strategic direction.
This observation led to the creation of Intriq AI, a platform designed to improve business profitability through data diagnostics and AI-driven insights.
“We saw a real need for better strategic focus,” Jess explains.
“Intriq AI plugs into ERP systems to extract financial and operational data, generating actionable insights and value levers that improve profitability.”
One of the platform’s initial focus areas has been hospitality, where businesses often operate multiple locations and generate large volumes of internal data.
“For example, we analyse P&L statements across locations to identify discrepancies,” Jess says. “We can highlight opportunities around labour optimisation or even link operational performance to customer metrics like NPS.”
Navigating Culture and Leadership
Jess’s professional experiences also shaped her understanding of workplace culture.
Her time at Aurelius reinforced the importance of working environments that support inclusion.
“In hindsight, I realised culture is just as important as the work itself,” she reflects.
“I loved the work we were doing, but the experience made it clear how important it is to create a supportive and inclusive environment.”
That philosophy now underpins the culture she is building at Intriq.
Championing Diversity and Inclusion
At Intriq, Jess has made diversity and inclusion a core principle of the company.
“It’s crucial to interview as many women as men,” she says. “Diverse perspectives drive innovation.”
She is proud of the culture her team has built.
“Our interns, developers, and co-founders all bring different perspectives and experiences,” she explains. “The goal is to create a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.”
The Role of Mentorship
Mentorship has played a significant role in Jess’s career.
“We have two advisors, one on the tech side and one on the commercial side, who have been instrumental in our progress,” she says.
“Their experience and networks have opened doors and helped guide key decisions.”
Jess also extends this philosophy internally, ensuring junior team members feel included in decision-making.
“I want interns and team members to feel like they are on the same playing field as us,” she explains.
“Their input is just as valuable as that of the founders.”
The Future of Intriq
Looking ahead, Jess sees enormous opportunity in the intersection of AI, data, and strategy.
“We’re at an inflexion point where data management and AI solutions can disrupt almost every industry,” she says.
Her ambition for Intriq is clear.
“We want to help businesses use their data to make smarter strategic decisions and unlock real value.”
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Jess’s journey offers several lessons for aspiring leaders.
“Look at opportunities through the lens of what’s right for you and what aligns with your values, rather than what society sees as prestigious.”
She also emphasises resilience.
“Every challenge is a learning opportunity,” she says.
“Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. They are part of the journey.”
Conclusion
Jess Liew’s journey from finance to founding Intriq AI illustrates the impact that determination, curiosity, and purpose-driven leadership can have in shaping the future of business.
For aspiring leaders, particularly women entering finance and technology, her story offers a powerful reminder that resilience and authenticity can help redefine even the most traditional industries.
