Susan Walsh

Susan Walsh: The Classification Guru

Susan Walsh, also known as The Classification Guru, is a leading expert in data cleaning, classification, and supplier normalisation. As the founder and driving force behind The Classification Guru Ltd, Susan and her team have helped over 100 organisations worldwide clean, classify, and normalise their data, making it more Consistent, Organised, Accurate, and Trustworthy through her proprietary COAT framework.

With more than 13 years of experience in data and a proven track record of delivering business value, Susan is widely recognised for her expertise in spend data classification, supplier normalisation, and taxonomy development. In 2024, she launched Samification, an innovative self-service tool that empowers businesses to take control of their supplier data with ease.

Before making her mark in the data world, Susan built a career in sales and ran her own clothing boutique, experiences that sharpened her entrepreneurial instincts and deepened her understanding of business challenges. These unique insights now fuel her mission to make data relatable, accessible, and just the right amount of sassy.

Susan is the author of Between the Spreadsheets: Classifying and Fixing Dirty Data and the creator of popular online courses available on Pluralsight, O’Reilly, and the Analytics Institute. Her TEDx talk, "Say NO to NO", highlights her personal journey of resilience and determination, showcasing her ability to inspire and lead through challenge. A sought-after speaker and thought leader at global data and procurement events, Susan is a trusted partner in helping organisations unlock the full value of clean, reliable data and achieve long-term data excellence. Her impact on the industry has been recognised through numerous accolades, including a place in the DataIQ100 and several data industry awards.

At the heart of her work is the proprietary COAT methodology (Consistent, Organised, Accurate, Trustworthy), developed to ensure data remains clean and usable. This framework is a cornerstone of The Classification Guru’s approach, enabling organisations to save time and money by maintaining high-quality data standards.

If you’re ready to tackle your dirty data and unlock its full potential, Susan Walsh is your go-to expert!