Ian Cohen

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2024.

An astute and technology savvy executive with a proven track record of directing and delivering "digital-enabled business transformation," Ian has held Group / Global CTO, CIO and Digital/Product leadership roles with some of the UK's biggest brands. They include Lloyds Bank, The Financial Times, Associated Newspapers, insurance leader Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Addison Lee Group and currently global healthcare solution partner Acacium Group.

How did you get into IT?

By accident - however, since that happy accident I have loved every minute of a super varied career that has spanned financial services, technology, media, insurance broking, travel and now healthcare with four years of running my own advisory and consulting business sprinkled in the mix. So sadly no grand plans, designs or career paths - just the life of an insanely curious opportunist who has been fortunate enough to have met incredible mentors/role models and lucky enough to have assembled genuinely amazing teams that have been way better than I could ever be - delivering more that I ever could. All that combined with a personality that cannot say no to a new challenge and a drive to truly embrace all of them as learning experiences.

What do you consider your greatest IT achievement of the last 12 months?

Working in healthcare we are fortunate enough to create solutions that genuinely change peoples lives. Whether it's providing clinicians at a time of unprecedented demand and scarcity of supply, through to providing patient facing solutions that deliver positive patient outcomes or enabling advancement in Life Sciences, everything we do in our Technology & Transformation division is an achievement and I genuinely cannot pick just one from the last 12 months

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

Diversity and inclusion are woven into the very fabric of Acacium Group, and one my directors is the lead for our D&I activities. It is part of the D&A of every division in the company. We also have our own "Women in Technology & Transformation" group that operates beyond the confines of our division to promote female inclusion, not just across the company but even with partners and customers. As such, our technology recruitment reflects this commitment, whether through the use of gender neutral and inclusive language in our job posts through to active outreach programs ("returnship" being a prime example) that overcome age and social discrimination.

Which technology are you currently most excited by, and why?

Despite the hype, generative AI represents the most exciting opportunities we've seen for over a decade. Not just because of the productivity potential it can unlock, but because of the opportunities it can create to accelerate outcomes that would have taken months or even years. Sadly, like every new technology, it is suffering from the shameless over-selling from vendors who frankly should know better. Over hyping any technology leads to disappointment and frustration - as it has been for the last 30+yrs.

Importantly, AI is not going to wipe out jobs, but it will challenge organisations to consider the value of certain activities. At its best - on a human level - it will be a leveller of capabilities, giving everyone the potential to excel and thereby challenge organisations to unlock the creativity of their highest performers. At a functional level it will create new opportunities to be actively embraced. The key, though, is to be highly focussed on the outcomes you need from AI and not see it as a panacea to all ills.

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

The amount of actual technology that is part of the role of a technology leader. We are relationship councillors, UN peacekeepers, artists, accountants, story tellers, used car salespeople, magicians and occasionally get to do some technology stuff.

What's your secret talent?

Its no secret that I was a session musician in a previous life and have returned to my passion after a long lay off.

What makes you laugh?

Going to watch my football team - who used to be brilliant but now aren't.