Top 10 CIO interviews of 2014
The top technology chiefs in the UK shared their opinions and experiences of modern IT leadership
Computer Weekly interviewed more UK IT leaders throughout 2014 than any other publication. The top technology chiefs shared their opinions and experiences of modern IT leadership and transforming business and government through IT innovation.
Their views are valuable not only for fellow CIOs, but also any aspiring IT professional looking to develop their career opportunities.
Here are Computer Weekly's top 10 CIO interviews of the year.
1. Government digital chief Mike Bracken on the next five years
Proof of early digital government promise is demonstrated by two milestones: October was two years since the launch of Gov.uk, now the common web platform for central government; while November saw the third anniversary of GDS itself, which Mike Bracken has built up in that time to a 300-strong team aiming to disrupt and transform government IT.
2. Jane Moran, global CIO, Unilever – the most influential person in UK IT 2014
The first woman to top Computer Weekly's list of the most influential people in UK IT – the UKtech50 – Jane Moran is facing up to the challenge of being at the forefront of innovation while balancing the everyday technology demands of the third-largest consumer goods company in the world.
3. Dave Ubachs, CIO, Staples Europe
As one of the largest office products firms in the world, Staples is undertaking major IT projects in Europe that will see the improvement of its e-commerce capabilities as well as the consolidation of back-end functionality in all 16 markets in which it operates.
4. Jon Rudoe, digital and technology director, Sainsbury’s
Supermarkets are facing challenging times. Sales are dropping as low-cost, no-frills supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi carve out a bigger share of the market, and customers move towards online shopping. But one of the most recognisable UK supermarket brands is investing in customer-facing technology to improve the shopper's experience.
5. Kevin Cunnington, director general of digital transformation, DWP
When Kevin Cunnington joined the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as director general of digital transformation in October 2013, his new employer’s IT was already under fire.
6. Sumeet Chabria, CIO, HSBC Global Banking and Markets
There is huge change underway in the investment banking sector as it recovers from the banking meltdown that began in 2008, and IT is central to it.
7. Leandro Balbinot, global CIO, HJ Heinz
Despite being a ubiquitous brand worldwide, food production giant HJ Heinz is gearing up to expand its international presence further – and a huge technology modernisation programme encompassing 23 countries is expected to be a core part of that process.
8. Robert Teagle, European IT director, Starbucks Coffee
Client-facing technology and a major back-office refresh are key areas of focus for Starbucks as the company’s customers become increasingly tech-savvy and business expansion continues.
9. Paul Shetler, chief digital officer, Ministry of Justice
Walking through the maze which is the Ministry of Justice building in London’s Whitehall, you come across a floor housing 145 techies coding away to deliver online services for citizens who need to interact with the department.
10. Phil Jordan, global chief information officer, Telefónica
Telefónica global CIO Phil Jordan is leading one of the most complex and challenging IT transformations in the private sector.
