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The continued cat and mouse game with the cybercriminals means security investment is still at the forefront .
What do you think has emerged as a technology trend and why ?
I think it ’ s hard to argue for anything other than the rise of Generative AI , not only for the potential applications those of us in the industry are wrestling with but because it ’ s one of those subjects that has broken through into mainstream consciousness .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
The continued cat and mouse game with the cybercriminals means security investment is still at the forefront . AI will undoubtedly see investment in the coming months , but we are also seeing lots of investment in sustainability , not necessarily purely in the financial sense . Sustainable procurement and ESG are board-level agenda items impacting IT purchasing .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside of the office ?
I am pretty laid back most of the time , which helps with a busy job like mine . I have a 9-year-old son who keeps me busy sharing his enormous range of interests with me . This year we added our now year-old daughter to the mix and between them they conspire to consume my focus outside of work . The golf course is my happy place – I find nothing else compares as a place not to think about anything else .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
I have been fortunate in my career that even in uncertain times , like facing redundancy , I have managed to come up smelling of roses . I don ’ t really regret any decision I ’ ve made so I ’ m not sure I ’ d change anything . I do often reflect on an inflection point in my career path , where I was fortunate to be able to choose between an offer for an R & D position for a cloud platform or moving into my first pre-sales job . I found my natural home in presales , and it is that which led me to the position I find myself in today .
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in Europe ?
Our regulations and standards tend to be more stringent , particularly around privacy , so investing in new technologies which are based in the USA can sometimes pose challenges in that our demands around data sovereignty can be hard to meet . Europe is technologically dependent on the US and China ; there is a technology conflict there which may escalate with Europe caught in the middle .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
Because my organisation has been through some complex M & A activity , I have been more inwardly focused than I have historically been – more CIO than CTO . In the next 12 months , I look forward to spending more of my time on the customer- facing proposition side of the business , seeing how AI impacts the services we bring to market , and spending more of my time with customers sharing perspectives .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain C-level position in your industry ?
I never aspired to a C-level position particularly ; I am naturally a self-effacing person , so I try not to let my lofty title get in the way of just helping people out , which is what I ’ m in it for . I would suggest people try to understand what their personal motivations are and to accept that they might not be the same as other people , but that doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t pursue the same outcome . Be nice to others , always be professional in your conduct , and never be afraid to pursue an opportunity . My Dad gave me some advice early in my career which has always stuck with me – ‘ the time to turn down a job is when you ’ ve been offered it ’ – meaning don ’ t be afraid to take a shot at an opportunity to do something , even if you ’ re not sure you ’ re ready . p
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