Paul Smithis predominantly a wholesale fashion business to the tune of 70% of its turnover, with its distinctive shops in the retail arm – including a forthcoming branch at Trinity Leeds – accounting for 30%. The global power of the Paul Smith brand means over 1,200 worldwide employees. IT leader:Lee Bingham, Head of IT. In role since:Six years. Reporting line:CFO and CEO. Board level seat: No. IT budget:£6.5 million. IT estate and or number of log on accounts under the control of the IT leader:1,200 users. IT staff currently employed: 16. Split between in-house/outsourced staff:75% in-house, 25% outsource. IT management team and reporting structure:Three direct reports, Network Services, Development & Project Management. Primary technology platforms at the organisation:Oracle. Primary technology suppliers:Microsoft, Oracle, HP. Significant strategic technology deals struck in the last 12 months: Global Wifi and video conferencing solutions with Cisco and BT. Server 2012 Technology Adoption program with Microsoft. Exchange 15 Technology Adoption program with Microsoft. Major technology or transformation project recently completed and how did it transform operations, customer experience or the organisation:Branch office enterprise video conferencing. Did the above project reach its cost, timing and transformation objective:Yes, completely following Board level review. Business transformation programme – beyond technology – that the CIO owns or is a major contributor to:Structured technology service programmes to align business objectives: Global CRM standardisation and deployment; Global POS project. Strategic aim of the CIO and IT operation for the next financial year:IT governance and business alignment. Technologies being considered to enable transformation: Video conferencing, customer facing applications and CRM. Transformational inspiration sources:CIO peers, industry leaders and technology vendors.