Do more with less: IT’s impossible brief

How CIOs attending the IT Leaders Summit are tackling soaring demands, shrinking resources and growing complexity

Ahead of the IT Leaders Summit, taking place on 18 September in London, we spoke with Advisory Board members Rebecca Reynolds Jones, IT Director at The Meliore Foundation, and Jeremy Cooper, Head of IT at Apollo Therapeutics. They shared their perspectives on how the role of IT leadership is shifting including the rise of AI, evolving cybersecurity threats and increasing pressure on teams to deliver more with less.

Their insights offer a preview of the topics set to be explored at this year’s Summit.

What is your role and your core responsibilities?

Rebecca: As IT Director, I guide the Foundation's IT strategy and development. In our remote-first model, facilitating effective collaboration and ensuring strong cybersecurity are crucial. I focus on enabling my team to support projects and staff effectively, with an emphasis on delivering relevant and valuable technology solutions for the organisation.

Jeremy: I cover everything IT, security and cyber plus a healthy dose of what others don’t have time for. This has meant taking a lead in data privacy, a bit of branding and company events.

The main focus of the role at the moment is cybersecurity, to ensure we’re protecting our user and our IP, plus we work extensively with partners - which makes third party risk and controls a significant area - and user experience.

We want to make our users lives with IT as seamless and stress-free as possible while providing protection and controls.

How has the role of IT leader evolved over the last 3-5 years?

Rebecca: Over the past 3-5 years, I think the IT leader has become increasingly strategic. Supporting remote workforces with robust cybersecurity frameworks is paramount. In parallel to that, evaluating and implementing AI solutions for efficiency and innovation is key, demanding a future-focused approach to technology and risk management.

Jeremy: Every company is a tech company, but many don’t realise it. This means that every business function and process is dependent on IT. It has led to IT needing to be at the top table for all discussions. However, the expectation on IT to be always on and secure has dramatically increased the pressure on staff.

What major trends are you seeing right now in the IT space?

Rebecca: We're seeing a major trend in harnessing AI (it's hard to miss it!) to augment capabilities and boost output, creating opportunities for professional development. This occurs alongside an ever-evolving governance requirement, especially when it comes to the EU AI Act and of course, the cybersecurity threat landscape, requiring proactive and adaptive security strategies for distributed workforces.

Jeremy: I guess I should say AI. It’s on everything, even if it’s not really IT. Maybe that’s the trend: sales teams trying to work out how to market something as AI. However, the trend I’m seeing with these tools is ‘how do we help you do more with less’? AI, ML, automation… it’s all about assisting people and teams to do more with less. This is a great thing.

What’s something in the industry that you think isn’t getting enough attention?

Rebecca: A challenge not getting enough attention, in my view, is the danger of skill silos, potentially exacerbated by remote work's reduced organic interaction. This lack of cross-functional understanding, alongside the impact of remote work on digital wellbeing and potential burnout, requires intentional strategies for connection, learning, and sustainable engagement.

Jeremy: The expectation on IT is sky high and at the same time the rate of change is unprecedented. It feels like companies want the IT team to innovate as fast as Amazon and be as seamless and easy to use as Apple, while costing a lot less – like a free Gmail account. IT teams can’t keep up with the demand and the consumerisation, ‘this is how I like to work,’ while delivering transformational change or reducing security risks.

How do you stay ahead of rapidly changing technology?

Rebecca: Staying ahead in changing tech, especially when physically disconnected, is a real challenge for me. I make a conscious effort to find time for continuous learning through industry publications and actively participating in things like Computing Events. These events are invaluable for connecting with peers, exchanging insights, and getting hands-on experience with emerging technologies, which is tough to replicate remotely.

Jeremy: Attending events like Computing to hear from select vendors and other people’s experience, plus working with a small group of trusted partners who help steer me toward the best options. There are so many options out there you need some help to filter before you get overwhelmed by the options.

The IT Leaders Summit is a free event for senior IT professionals from end user companies to learn best practices and how to utilise new technology to improve efficiency in their department. Find out more and register for free here.