Lesley Salmon

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2023.

Lesley is Kellogg's SVP and global CIO - an expansion of her previous European CIO role. She is accountable for IT across the firm, and plays a key role in operational, tactical and strategic execution.

Beginning her career with United Biscuits, Lesley spent 13 years working on major IT projects, moving from junior business analyst to IT controller. Following that, she moved to Premier Foods where she led the end-to-end SAP programme and supported the integration of a major acquisition.

How did you get into IT?

I "grew up" in the IT industry, learning on the job, so not a traditional education background. When I realised I wanted a career and not a job I found my path into the IT world, with a director who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to join the company's graduate programme.

I studied Computer Studies at school and as well as enjoying it, I was really good at it - so when an opportunity for a role in the IT function came up, I jumped at the chance.

My first interview for a job in IT was also the first time I experienced discrimination due to my gender - when I was informed that 'even the men' found the shifts very difficult. That was it - from that moment I was determined to prove that females could be successful in IT - and anything else they choose to do!

How do you ensure diversity is taken into account in your IT recruitment?

Throughout my career I have been, and remain, a true advocate for the advancement of women in business, a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and champion of multicultural diversity inside and outside the company. I'm the Exec Sponsor for the K Pride & Allies ERG, helping to bring our vision and purpose to life by supporting LGBTQ+ communities around the world. My leadership team and I role model an inclusive culture, which invites colleagues at every level of the team to play their part in creating the future of Kellogg IT.

Which technology are you currently most excited by?

I'm most excited about helping my commercial colleagues realise the benefits of AI and machine learning and how we can turn data insights into business opportunities.

Data is our single source of truth; when we get it right, we can truly live by our purpose - create a seat at the table for everyone, fight food insecurity and combat climate change.

What would an outsider find the most surprising part of your job?

My team has the ability to introduce new technologies that change how we deliver products to our customers.

In 2020 a member of my team attended an event and learned that more than 2 million people in the UK live with sight loss and are unable to simply read the information on packaging. It sparked an idea to add NaviLens technology to our packaging, allowing visually impaired people to access all of the information on our cereal packaging via their smartphones - by having it played out loud using accessibility tools. Check out this video to get a sense of how it changed the shopping experience.

Living our purpose with a seat at the table for everyone, NaviLens technology provides equal access to this information, making it truly inclusive. The pilot was so successful that we expanded this offering to our packaging in the US in 2022.

What's your secret talent?

To make someone feel great about themselves, every day.

What makes you laugh?

Mr. Bean, played by the wonderful Rowan Atikinson - the best for laugh out loud moments!