Raising the bar for tech leadership: Insights from the CIO Summit
At last week’s IDC and CIO.com’s Official CIO Summit, a panel titled "Time to Raise the Bar" explored the ever-evolving role of technology leaders. Moderated by Natalie Whittlesey, C-Suite Engagement Director of The IN Group, the panel featured:
Richard Corbridge, Director General of Digital at the Department for Work and Pensions
Dominic Howson, Chief Transformation Officer at Viridor
Roxane Heaton, experienced CIO and National Trustee of Citizens Advice.
The discussion provided rich insights into how technology leadership is adapting to meet the demands of the modern business world. Below are the key takeaways from the event panel.
1. The changing role of tech leaders
The traditional boundaries of tech leadership are shifting, with the emergence of roles like Chief Transformation Officer, Chief AI Officer, and Chief Data Officer competing for influence at the executive level. Roxane Heaton emphasised that today's CIOs are expected to go beyond managing technology - they are increasingly involved in driving change across the business, leveraging technology to solve problems and guide organisations through transformation. Dominic Howson agreed, noting that the role has become more business-focused, with tech leaders now seen as experts in change management, capable of influencing end-to-end business processes.
This theme is frequently highlighted in the InX 10 Minutes With podcast series, where the team engages with leaders who share their experiences of evolving roles and shifting responsibilities. As the landscape continues to change, these conversations offer valuable insights into how leaders are adapting. Explore past discussions here.
2. The evolution of tech’s accountability
An ongoing debate among the panellists was whether organisations need multiple tech-focused leaders or a single accountable figure. While the proliferation of tech roles can dilute leadership clarity, Dominic argued that having one person accountable for technology is essential for maintaining focus and direction. He stressed that the role of the tech leader today is not just to manage technology but to interpret hype, such as AI, and translate it into practical outcomes for the business.
Richard Corbridge echoed this sentiment, questioning whether departments could maintain credibility with too many "chiefs" at the helm. He argued that while specialisation is critical, the CIO or CTO should ultimately be responsible for technology, ensuring that new innovations like AI are seamlessly integrated into the broader organisational strategy.
3. AI and innovation: the hot topics
The conversation naturally turned to AI, with panellists addressing the challenges and opportunities it presents for technology leaders. Roxane highlighted the importance of breaking down silos to integrate AI meaningfully across the organization, while also ensuring that leadership remains accountable. Richard suggested that AI, though revolutionary, is just another tool in the tech leader’s kit and should not be over-hyped. Instead, he advocated for smaller, more incremental innovations that, when combined, can deliver significant business value.
Natalie shared findings from the latest ‘Technology & The Boardroom’ survey, emphasising that boardrooms are increasingly overwhelmed by AI’s rapid evolution, with leaders struggling to stay ahead of the curve. Both Dominic and Richard underscored the need for collaboration and education at the board level to demystify AI and help leaders understand its real-world applications.
4. The future of the CIO
The question of where a CIO goes next sparked an intriguing conversation. Historically, the CIO role was often seen as the ceiling, but the panellists pointed out that this is changing. Richard noted that CIOs today are expected to demonstrate strong leadership and commerciality, not just technical expertise. Dominic added that with their deep understanding of business challenges, customer needs, and financials, CIOs are well-positioned to step into CEO roles.
Roxane touched on the growing trend of portfolio careers for CIOs, warning that the industry must find ways to retain talented tech leaders and prevent them from leaving for other opportunities. One suggestion raised was the potential creation of a formal accreditation program for tech leaders - a recognition that could solidify their status and keep them engaged in the industry.
5. Managing expectations in a fast-changing world
Finally, the panellists discussed how to manage the ever-changing expectations of boards and peers. Dominic emphasised the importance of communication and relationship-building, noting that a tech leader’s success depends on their ability to explain the value of invisible work, such as cybersecurity investments, and gain trust across the organisation. Roxane added that showcasing the impact of behind-the-scenes efforts, using case studies and metrics, is crucial for gaining continued support.
Conclusion
The panel made it clear that technology leadership is evolving, with new responsibilities and expectations reshaping the role. For organisations navigating this complex landscape, having the right leadership in place is crucial. InX specialises in helping businesses find the tech leaders who can drive transformation, innovation, and success in an increasingly digital world. Contact the team today.