The CDO function has become necessary as data has grown as a true business priority. In today’s multi-functional business landscape, there is an increasingly pressing need for a leader to understand and advocate data at the highest level of an organisation. That leader is the Chief Data Officer, but the Chief Data Office as a whole has the opportunity and the responsibility to affect change across the organisation and lead the formation of a strong Data Culture. A recent behavioural study that we have undertaken* has revealed a hesitancy among respondents to using data to drive decision-making in their daily roles. While there are many complexities involved as to why this is the case, fundamentally it boils down to people not feeling empowered to use data in their daily work. The role of the CDO and the Chief Data Office can and should be set-up to change this. The CDO has the ability to set the strategic direction for data in an organisation, be the engine to drive data-change and own business-critical functions and maintain them. To do this, the value of data needs to be demonstrated across the organisation, not just in silos. However, more than this, it needs to be articulated that the value of data will impact each individual positively as they perform their daily activities. The CDO then has the dual function of leading the strategy and direction for data across an organisation in addition to ensuring that those ‘on the ground’ have a positive experience of data, to promote data-driven decision making and ensure lasting value for the organisation.