DNEG

Dijo Davis

Dijo Davis is the Head of Training at DNEG, leading strategic training initiatives across the UK and India. With over 14 years of experience in knowledge management and organisational learning, he specialises in building centralised, impact-driven training platforms. Based in London, Davis bridges global teams, standardising learning outcomes and aligning training programmes with business objectives. His expertise in programme design, strategic planning and cross-cultural integration positions him as a dynamic force in driving talent development and operational excellence at scale.

Through this interview, Davis emphasises the power of innovation, adaptability and people-centric design in talent development. The team prioritised scalable, self-paced learning, driven by in-house content and a robust LMS, to meet global production needs.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, global visual effects and animation powerhouse DNEG has turned a significant challenge into an opportunity by launching a comprehensive online training strategy aimed at bridging skill gaps and unifying learning across its international studios.

As hybrid working became the new normal, DNEG’s Training Team made an early and decisive move to transition from traditional in-person instruction to a scalable, online-first approach. The initiative not only ensured continuity but also opened doors to a broader, more efficient up skilling process for artists around the world.

“We saw the shift not just as a necessity, but as a chance to reimagine how we train, support and grow our talent. This was our opportunity to build something sustainable, flexible and globally consistent.”

From Live to Self-Paced Learning

DNEG restructured its live training programs into self-dependent, on-demand online courses tailored to the company’s specific tools and production needs. Artists could now access learning content anytime, anywhere—empowering them to take ownership of their development without compromising production timelines.

“Artists could now access learning content anytime, anywhere—empowering them to take ownership of their development without compromising production timelines”

The courses were designed in-house to reflect DNEG’s proprietary workflows, ensuring relevance, consistency and a high level of customisation. This move significantly accelerated onboarding, cross-training and upskilling efforts across departments and global locations.

Learning Management System Powers Data-Driven Training

Central to this transformation was the implementation of a robust Learning Management System (LMS), enabling us to track and analyse training activity across our global workforce. The LMS provided detailed metrics on learner progress, completion rates and departmental performance - helping the training team demonstrate training ROI and fine-tune content in real time.

Ground-Level Insights Drive Relevance

The success of the online training strategy has also hinged on the training department’s close collaboration with departmental stakeholders. Regular engagement with department heads, production supervisors and artists ensured the training offerings addressed real, ground-level challenges rather than theoretical concepts.

This feedback loop allowed the team to stay agile and responsive—updating modules, prioritising content based on emerging needs and maintaining alignment with production requirements across all DNEG sites.

Closing Global Skill Gaps with a Unified Approach

One of the standout outcomes of the initiative has been the ability to close skill gaps across studios in Europe, North America, the UK, India and Australia. By delivering standardised, internally developed courses, DNEG ensured that artists across all regions received the same high-quality training—fostering collaboration, improving mobility and reinforcing the company’s global production standards.

A Model for Scalable Learning in Creative Industries

DNEG’s strategic move toward corporate online training has not only enhanced the efficiency of its learning programs but also reinforced its position as an industry leader in talent development.

Our training transformation has become a critical enabler of creative and technical excellence. This model has allowed us to scale learning while staying closely connected to what our teams actually need on the ground.

As DNEG continues to evolve its learning ecosystem, the company remains committed to empowering its people through innovation, insight and intentional design—proving that in a changing world, learning is one of the most powerful tools for resilience and growth.