Co-Founder & CTO
Reuben McQueen
Co-founded OpenKit in 2020 and leads engineering. Ten years across web, mobile, XR and AI, with the last three on production LLM systems for regulated work.
- Based in
- Cambridge
- Joined
- 20215 years ago
- Practice
- Engineering & production AI
About Me
I’m Reuben, co-founder at OpenKit. I work with businesses to uncover where AI can create real impact, then build full end-to-end systems that bring cutting-edge models together with solid, scalable engineering.
What drives me is delivering meaningful solutions that solve real business problems and create measurable ROI. I enjoy building long-term relationships with clients, listening carefully to their needs while also offering honest guidance on alternative approaches. For me, the end value is what matters most, which is why I prioritise delivering lean, practical systems that prove results early instead of bloated specs that don’t serve the client.
My Approach
I thrive on tackling complex, challenging problems and finding elegant solutions. My process begins by understanding workflows in detail, then applying targeted AI where it will have the most impact. I refine ideas with clients along the way, ensuring that every project stays grounded, scalable, and focused on outcomes.
I am particularly passionate about Generative AI and Large Language Models, and I’ve spent the last three years bringing them into production at scale. This includes building fully custom RAG systems, autonomous agents, and real-time intelligent assistants.
Areas of Expertise
My expertise spans advanced AI solutions, including large language models, custom retrieval-augmented generation systems, and multimodal applications. I have deep experience in AI agent development, from voice assistants to research and automation tools, as well as a strong foundation in full-stack development across frontend, backend, cloud, and database architecture. With a background in backend and systems engineering, I am proficient in SQL, NoSQL, vector databases, and real-time data pipelines.
I also work extensively with major cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Supabase. A key focus of my practice is delivering scalable and secure deployments that align with industry standards like ISO 27001 and ISO 9001.
Recent Wins
Some of my most impactful recent work includes developing Rubrical for the UK Department for Education, an AI tool that cut teacher marking time by 50% while ensuring consistent, high-quality feedback. I also led the creation of Air Aware for the City of London and DEFRA, a public health agent that integrates real-time sensor data to provide multilingual answers about air quality.
In the legal sector, I designed bespoke AI systems for contract and lease analysis, reducing review times by more than 90% and outperforming off-the-shelf alternatives.
A Little About Me
I enjoy tackling difficult technical challenges and thrive on finding solutions that create real client value. Outside of work, I support local education initiatives around entrepreneurship and computer science, providing student mentorship and workshops. I also enjoy keeping up with the fast-moving world of AI research.
Let’s Connect
A private model that nobody can verify is no safer than a public one. The systems we hand over let the user audit every output, every day.
Send a brief to Reuben.
Direct line to the team. We’ll route your enquiry to Reuben if they’re the right fit, or to a colleague if someone else can move faster. Either way, you’ll hear back the same week.
