Paul Smith is 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. When did you start your current role?2006 Have you completed an MBA?No Order the following sources of advice/information by value to you: 1.    In-house2.    Vendors3.    Consultant4.    Analyst5.    Peer Group Technology strategy and spending What is the major transformational IT project that has been recently completed, or is underway at your organisation?Implementing the first UK hybrid cloud storage service model built on Microsoft Azure with Windows Server 2012 R2 and Hyper V Replication Manager with StorSimple. What impact will it/does it have on the organisation?Fundamental technology redesign and IT service model. Delivering cloud based service extensions into the global business incorporating primary storage, backup, archive and DR. What new strategic technology deals has your organisation struck and with whom?Early Adoption and strategic technology partnership with Microsoft to delivery a UK first pilot project for Windows Server 2012 R2, Hyper V, Azure and StorSimple technology adoption. Name your strategic technology suppliers?Microsoft What is the IT budget?£6M What is the strategic aim of the CIO and IT operations for the next financial year?Strategic insourcing and direct ownership model of primary technology services and implementation of cloud based service extensions based on Microsoft technology stack. Transformation achievements Would you describe the CIO role as a transformation leader in your organisation?Yes, my brief as a CIO is to deliver technology transformation leadership and business efficiency strategies. Describe the transformations you have led / been involved in, how did they transform operations, customer experience or the organisation?This year we have invested heavily into the delivery of a brand new compute and storage platform, re-architecting our data centres and built on a UK first hybrid cloud model with Microsoft sponsorship.We are currently working on the global implementation of new retail technologies into store which include service migration to IP management. System include EPoS, Mobile payment, Wifi, IPCCTV, IP Metrics and omni-channel services. This project will run in parallel to a new ERP strategy, transforming the business process methodologies from inception to sale. Beyond technology, can you describe a business transformation programme that you own or contribute to?I currently have ownership of four primary project work streams, insourcing direct ownership of our web technologies platform. Implementation of a new retail EPoS technology solution. Implementation of a new ERP solution and the recent implementation of new global compute and storage platform based on hybrid cloud model.  What key technologies are being considered to enable transformation?Hybrid cloud, cloud storage, Web, E.Commerce, EPoS, ERP are all active business technology transformation projects. What percentage of your applications / infrastructure is run from the Cloud?Approximately 40% How is the use by employees of their own technology, use of mobiles and social networking impacting operations, customer experiences or the organisation at present?The impact of own technology is well managed and embraced as a technology strategy. We aim to accommodate and service the use of employee tech in a positive and welcoming methodology. The adoption of a business social model works extremely well and we are currently implementing a new Sharepoint 2013 platform to further support, extend and improve these internal services. Do you have a plan in place for how to deal with shadow IT and BYOD. How do you influence and engage executives, place the right controls around employee choice and engage with the organisation on this issue?We have a clearly defined strategy and management program for BYOD with a supporting directive from the board and key internal business sponsors. Where do you seek transformational inspiration from?Alignment to key technology vendors and the investment in key relationships which afford a position aggressive and pre-market technology adoption into the business. Allowing the development and specific value driven focus of technology implementations.  The CIO role in the business Do they report to the:CFO Does the CIO have a seat on the board?No How often do you meet with the CEO?Quarterly Does your organisation have a digital leader and what is the difference in their responsibilities to yours?No What percentage of IT budget do you control and what percentage of IT budget does your digital peer hold?100% The IT department How many staff make up the IT team?(What is the split between in-house/outsourced staff)34 Describe the CIO’s management team, do you have direct reports that develop the relationship and services between the business and IT?We have a team of six team managers with the IT team structure. These cover Network Services, Development, Business Analysis, Project Management and Web. How many log-in accounts do you issue across you organisation?1200+ What is the primary technology platform?Microsoft – Core Platform & ERP – Prologic CIMS