The C-tech interviews: Meet the Technology and Change Director of Atlanta Group
Tara Walker had reached the ceiling in her role when a conversation with James Lawson presented her with a director position – and a short path to CIO. Continuing our series of interviews with C-tech leaders, Tara tells us how her relationship with InX has been pivotal in her career to date and offers her advice for other tech leaders thinking about their next move.
Tell us a little about yourself (background, roles, interests, etc.)
I was previously CTO for Motorpoint PLC focussed on digitising a branch led business to a digital retailer. Prior to that I was Group IT Director at Belcan, a Global Aerospace Engineering company servicing customer like Rolls Royce, BAE Systems etc; looking after the rest of the world (anywhere outside of America). I actually started my career in Information Security.
You recently became Technology and Transformation Director at Atlanta Group. What triggered you to consider a move?
I felt like I had achieved everything I probably could at Motorpoint & was approached by James Lawson. He presented this opportunity, which was a Director Role which a short path to CIO. It looked interesting, another transformation journey … I’m now the Interim CIO.
What was your experience of working with InX?
I have known James for a while! He’s placed me in my last few roles. I trust his judgment & know he’ll only approach with things that I will actually be interested in. We’ve got a good relationship & I think he knows me well now. Through that trust & relationship I have used Investigo for recruitment in my team.
How did you approach your first few months in your role?
I think the first few months are about quickly getting to understand your people, the business, where are we headed & how does my area feed into that. Is it working? Is it not working? It’s then about creating the journey, the plan; getting people on board & heading off in that direction. Naturally from that there comes an amount of change – how much very much depends on the business. I always think my job is to simply use my experience to make things better. Things can always be better.
What advice would you give others contemplating a move, or starting a new senior role?
Do it!
I genuinely think you gain more experience through moving than you do by staying in the same company. It gives you a different perspective and enables you to try out your new toolkit in a different environment. There are different people to learn from. Different challenges to over come. I think in tech people expect to move every few years now. That being said – you have to do what’s right for you. Make sure the move is right for you – you’re interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you.
What surprised you the most during your journey from one business to another?
I have moved fairly frequently so I don’t think anything surprises me anymore. But it’s always culture. People will disagree, but the problems are always the same. The culture is always surprisingly different, but also so ‘normal’ to that particular business. It can be challenging to adapt, but I think that’s why ‘interviewing’ the company during the recruitment process is so important. You need to work out if your face will fit. And that’s why it’s so important to work with a recruiter that you trust.
What's on your radar currently (tech, business, innovation, etc)?
AI! It's terrifying and exciting in equal measure.
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If you would like to find a future C-tech leader for your business, or you’re a tech or digital leader who’s looking for their next step, please contact one of the InX technology team, here.