The annual CIO Summit never fails to provoke debate, praise, scepticism and occasional ambivalence across social media channels. Of course this year was no different as over 140 CIOs and IT executives congregated at the Langham Hotel on Regent Street and scrambled to connect to what turned out to be an appropriately robust WiFi network, perhaps nudged by the inaugural CIO Summit App supplied by Jadu.
7 CIOs using the app right now, the rest arriving and networking over coffee. Don’t forget to bookmark! #CIOsummitpic.twitter.com/xVbBaTKyC8
— Jadu (@jadu) September 24, 2014
Editor-in-Chief Mark Chillingworth kicked off the event with a video interview conducted with John Lewis IT director Paul Coby – one of few CIOs at the 2010 summit using an iPad – who made his own predictions about the direction of the industry.
The #CIOsummit kicks off with Paul Coby of John Lewis highlighting the huge impact wearables and the Internet of Things will have….
— Simon Meredith (@simon_meredith) September 24, 2014
NBC Universal SVP of International Technology and Operations, Andrew Jordan, had a positive response for his discussion on innovation in the technology industry.
“Innovation isn’t just about making your own company better, it’s about making the industry better as well.” @speedcheese#CIOsummit
— CIO UK (@ciouk) September 24, 2014
Graham Benson, CIO of MandM Direct, focused on inspiring your team the changing nature of the CIO role.
@mynameisGBsays “embrace the naysayers as they will be your most powerful advocates” which ties nicely into my theme at #CIOsummit today
— Gideon Kay (@gids) September 24, 2014
Fast paced and thought provoking presentation from Graham Benson (@mynameisGB). Challenging basic assumptions about the CIO role. #CIOsummit
— Ian Cox (@ij_cox) September 24, 2014
Halfords CIO Anna Barsby, who recently appeared on the cover of the magazine, was lavished with praise during her slot on leadership, and building the team to succeed which wrapped up the morning session.
“Don’t compromise on your leadership team. An old boss said this and they were absolutely right” – Halfords CIO Anna Barsby#CIOsummit
— CIO UK (@ciouk) September 24, 2014
#ciosummit– most important skill our teams want a CIO to have, genuine concern & understanding of others.
— Richard Corbridge (@R1chardatron) September 24, 2014
This is truly an excellent talk on #leadership, teams, values, behaviours, talent and empowerment by Halfords CIO Anna Barsby#CIOsummit
— Edward Qualtrough (@QedwardRobert) September 24, 2014
Top of this year’s CIO 100, Nissan Europe CIO Stephen Kneebone gave the audience a lesson in marketing for CIOs, covering brand and digital touchpoints.
Stephen Kneebone CIO of @Nissan saying digital is about complete customer experience not “just another channel”. So true! #CIOsummit
— Sander Kristel (@StaffsCIO) September 24, 2014
Brigadier Alan Hill of the British Armynot only looked the part, but discussed strategy and the unique information and security challenges faced by the armed forces
Brigadier Alan Hill of the British Army speaking during the #leadership strand at the #CIOsummitpic.twitter.com/C2UZCLitn1
— CIO UK (@ciouk) September 24, 2014
You think you have problems?? Brigadier Alan Hill discussing challenges of business processes, security etc in the British army #CIOsummit
— IanCohen (@coe62) September 24, 2014
Brig Alan Hill from UK Army demonstrating great situational awareness & a genuine grasp of strategy – refreshing. #CIOsummit
— Jerry Fishenden (@ntouk) September 24, 2014
Chief technology officer at GLH, Chris Hewertson said tht the hotel group’s strategy was to focus on the customer experience, something which resonated with 2012 CIO Summit speaker Ibukun Adebayo.
Customer experience influences revenue. Take on the mandate to lead & enhance your business’s revenue. Chris Hewertson, CTO, GLH#CIOsummit
— Ibk Adebayo (@iadebayo) September 24, 2014
Following the CIO 2 CIO with Gideon Kay and Shaun Mundy, who had a frank yet informal discussion about how to approach the first 100 days in a new role, Richard Corbridge of the Clinical Research Network outlined the different types of technology ‘user’ exists in the NHS, and explained the traits shared by IT and drug dealers.
Fabulous segmentation of technology fan bases by @R1chardatron – evangelists, sceptics and pragmatists. #CIOsummit
— Matt Ballantine (@ballantine70) September 24, 2014
.@R1chardatron: has banned the use of the term ‘user’ as only IT and drug dealers refer to their customers as users. #CIOsummit
— Ian Cox (@ij_cox) September 24, 2014
CIO of Staffordshire County Council, Sander Kristel, expressed the need for a digital revolution in the public sector to deliver services cheaply and digitally in the face of austere budget cuts.
“Unless there’s a #digital revolution in how we deliver public services, we won’t be able to pick up your bins or fix the roads” #CIOsummit
— CIO UK (@ciouk) September 24, 2014
Sander Kristel from Staffordshire County Council talks about becoming the ‘digital facilitator’ in the business #CIOsummit
— Simon Meredith (@simon_meredith) September 24, 2014
After a round-up by Mark Chillingworth and Ian Cox, another CIO Summit was over – but it’s never to early to note the next CIO Summit will take place on Wednesday 23 September 2015.
Fascinating day, great mix of speakers and experiences #CIOsummit
— Anna Barsby (@redbanneranna) September 24, 2014
Well done @mchillingworth@AmieDeana and everyone @ciouk for an excellent #CIOSummit 2014. They just keep getting better !!
— IanCohen (@coe62) September 24, 2014
The 2015 CIO Summit will be held on Wednesday 23 September, let us know if you’d like to be involved #CIOsummit
— Mark Chillingworth (@mchillingworth) September 25, 2014
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Author: equaltrough, Editor
Edward Qualtrough is the Editor of CIO UK and has a particular interest covering digital strategy, leadership, enterprise culture, and diversity. Edward meets regularly with chief information officers and other business technology executives to discuss C-level issues and keep on top industry trends and disruptive threats.
