
UK & Ireland CIO Community
Inner Circle
6 March 2024 | Saddlers Hall, London
6 March 2024
Saddlers Hall, London
Collaborate with your peers
Join UK & Ireland's top CIOs for an intimate networking dinner and facilitated discussion on key business challenges. Enjoy a relaxed evening of dinner and drinks with your peers to share best practices, make new connections and build professional relationships.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:
Shaping the Efficient Enterprise with AI & Automation
Strengthening Partnerships for Wider Business Impact
Illustrating IT’s Value through Business-first Initiatives
UK & Ireland CIO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the discussion topics and agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CIOs, For CIOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Claire Dickson
DS Smith
CIO

David Germain
QBE
Group CIO
Agenda
6 March 2024
15:00 - 16:30 Discussion Topics
Pre-Event Workshop: Leadership & Influence – How CIOs can Build a Better Personal Brand
If you’re a CIO, your personal brand may be your strongest asset, or greatest liability. CIOs who don’t proactively manage their personal brand will be defined by others and may not like the result! CIOs should update their brand in anticipation of transitions, such as a promotion, new business strategy or new CEO, to reflect their professional passion and maximize their relevance.
Join this session and start developing a compelling and realistic desired brand with a practical action plan for personal development.
Specifically, you will understand how to:
- Actively manage your personal brand to influence how receptive peers are to your ideas and build credibility across the organisation.
- Drive trust in your organisations stakeholders through expectation management and shaping perceptions.
- Be consistent in your communications and behaviours across different situations and times.
16:30 - 17:30 Executive Networking Reception
17:30 - 18:45 Discussion Topics
Managing Business Expectations — How a CIO Controls the Narrative

Linda Cooke
Group CIO
Chaucer Group

Subhash Jose
CIO
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Laura Kendrick
CIO UK & EMEA
IPG Mediabrands

Simon Niven
Global CIO
ED&F Man Holdings Ltd

Alan Patefield-Smith
CIO
Admiral Group plc

Yanna Winter
CIO, Head of Generali UK IT and GC&C IT
Generali UK

Georgina Owens
CTO
William Hill

Claire Whitmore
Head of Digital Technology
E.ON UK

Glyn Blaize
COO
Amdaris
Business leaders have high expectations about AI and other emerging technologies that CIOs must manage. As such, CIOs must have robust strategies in place to not only manage these technologies, but also communicate their benefits and risks. Executives across the organisation all have their own thoughts and priorities around what the technology should be used for, but as a CIO, how do you keep control of this narrative and ensure effective deployment to drive digital business success?
As C-level and board expectations continue to rise around emerging technologies, coupled with minimal IT increased budgets and resources, what are the key levers CIOs are using to grow partnerships, better align with the business on these powerful technologies, and mitigate risks?
Join your peers to discuss how CIOs and their messaging are truly resonating with stakeholders on these emerging technologies.
Managing Ongoing AI Expectations with Business Stakeholders
What’s the current direction your organisation is taking on Generative AI? Are other departments in line with IT’s direction or are they taking another route?
How are you communicating the benefits and risks to the board as the technology continues to iterate? What are the most effective use cases to share?
As a CIO, how are you ensuring responsible AI adoption and journey planning outside of IT? Do you have a governance plan in place or are you governing as you go?
Setting Your AI Goals Effectively
How are you cutting through AI complexities to define your long-term AI goals for the organisation? Who is involved in setting this north star?
What measures are you putting in place to secure data sets and mitigate the risk of sophisticated attacks that exploit these technologies?
What will the overall implication on the workforce be with your strategy? Do you see AI as an enhancement or a replacement for the workforce?
18:45 - 19:15 Networking Break
19:15 - 20:30 Summary Discussion & Dinner
20:30 - 21:30 Social Hour
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the UK & Ireland CIO Community Inner Circle.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue
Saddlers Hall, LondonMore Information
Parking & Public Transport
Public Transport: Tube - St Paul’s
Parking: Limited metered parking around the Hall and car parking on the northside of London Wall - Cost £4.50 per hour.Community Programme Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.