UK & Ireland CIO Executive Summit

Data and AI maturity varies drastically among organisations and it can be difficult for CIOs to know where they start, and whether they are making the most out of their data sets. These challenges are further amplified as organisations build AI-powered digital strategies. From communicating data updates internally to demonstrating the impact AI strategy has on business outcomes, how can IT Leaders get past the complexities of these challenges and utilise them to improve their strategies? Join Christopher Blatchford, CTO, Kingfisher as he shares his thoughts about how AI and Data strategy can contribute to increased sales and enhanced customer experience.

Specifically, Christopher will share:

• How Kingfisher accelerated their use of data and AI to unlock growth opportunities in line with the ‘Powered by Kingfisher’ ethos
• Communicating confidence to the business that data infrastructure is aligned with data strategy
• The learnings and recommendations for CIOs looking to make the most out of their data sets and drive business collaboration and value

Organisations must navigate the unpredictable with a calculated and dynamic mindset. From supply chain shortages to rising inflation and complex business transition, technology leaders must increasingly do more with less and innovate to keep customers. Clear communication and vision is key, but how should IT Leaders sustain multiyear strategies with so much transformation, at pace. Join Adrian Berry, CTO at Asda as he shares his thoughts and insights into:

• How Asda are accelerating their digital strategy and driving an ambitious transformation programme
• Sustaining change in multiyear programmes and practical advice on establishing a clear vision for the desired state
• Recommendations on managing complex change programmess against a backdrop of business expectations and strategies

As a future leader, “getting a seat at the table” is a great ambition. However, getting the right seat at the right tables is the better goal. This session provides best practices leaders can use to ensure IT is positioned to work effectively with executive leadership teams across the enterprise. Specifically, this session will dive into:

• How to determine the optimal position for IT on key executive teams
• Looking beyond the C-suite table to influence goals, strategies and initiatives
• Ensuring IT value goes beyond the ‘tactical’, overcoming barriers to demonstrating value 

Organisations and employees have dealt recently with changing business and operating models, staff departures, digital acceleration, hybrid work and many other disruptions. They’re exhausted, and it's impacting the success of technological initiatives. With CIOs driving largescale transformation over a sustained period of time, what are the tactics that can be used to mitigate change fatigue, re-energise stakeholders and sustain momentum. Join this boardroom to discuss:

• Evaluating the impact of change management fatigue when prioritising initiatives
• Overcoming the pain points of sustained change management, and how CIOs can drive momentum
• Creating positive experiences throughout transformation, not just at the end

IT Leaders today face lofty expectations and a changing set of skills necessary to be successful. They are expected to manage high levels of ambiguity, align with corporate objectives, adopt game changing AI and the list goes on. How should CIOs ensure they are tackling their long list of priorities at speed, while ensuring customer centricity? Join Cijo Joseph, CTDO and Jasmine Hudson, Chief People Officer, at Mitie as they share how their effective partnership has led to the successful rollout of AI initiatives across the organisations, and the power such partnerships have on business outcome and customer satisfaction. Specifically, Cijo and Jasmine will share:

• Mitie’s AI journey, and how the IT and People function have worked together to drive business outcome
• Maintaining control of the narrative around emerging technologies, like AI, and ensuring effective governance and controls
• How effective partnerships has enabled key business goals to be met through innovative technology solutions

CIOs face an increasingly difficult dual challenge of navigating complex environments while effectively communicating to inspire and lead. The intentional use of words can boost their influence, improve their communications, and forge stronger bonds with the CEO, peers, and employees. With so many competing priorities, how can CIOs think and act more as an executive first, and functional leader second. This Keynote will address:

• How to boost influence over others by tapping into people’s agency and identity
• Overcoming cognitive bias when someone assumes others have the same knowledge they do
• Using emotional language to build stronger connections with others and improve outcomes