David Elliott

David Elliott founded Orion Forge after noticing the same problem in two very different sectors. Schools and small businesses were sitting on one of the most powerful productivity tools available — and most had no practical path to using it safely or effectively.

Over two and a half years working hands-on with AI tools — including Claude, OpenAI, and automation platforms — David built working knowledge that goes beyond surface-level familiarity. Not a formal qualification. Direct, daily use of the tools he now helps others apply to real workflows and real problems.

The school angle came from a straightforward observation: teachers are overworked, underfunded, and rarely have the time to investigate new solutions — even ones that could genuinely reduce their workload. AI is one of those solutions. But without clear guidance on what's safe, what aligns with DfE thinking, and what actually works in practice, most schools either avoid it entirely or use it inconsistently. Orion Forge exists to close that gap.

The business angle is similar. UK SMEs are often using AI informally, without fully understanding what data they're sharing or whether their approach is GDPR-compliant. David's focus is practical implementation with compliance built in from day one — not as an afterthought.