Bob Compton

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

Bob Compton has been leading IT at a senior level for more than a decade, covering a variety of C-level positions including CTO, CDO and his current CIO role with SMF24 responsibility, which he has now held for two years. In this and his previous IS Director role he led many initiatives to modernise IT at Mobilize, including first cloud deployments, implementing RPA, switching to Agile, setting up new testing function, nearshore, offshore and creating new schemes for graduates and trainees.

How did you get into IT?

I've taken the traditional IT route of being interested in computers, to first job as deskside support, building physical servers, installing networking; then I moved to Access development, website creation in the html/css days and Dreamweaver! Then SQL Server, DBA, Business Intelligence, SQL Development and through line management, running departments and ultimately senior leadership and setting the strategy (with lots more in between). I have always been in IT and financial domains. Before the term Fintech existed, I worked in Fintech!

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

My entire team won a huge prize in our industry last summer, with the "Excellence in Technology" award. It was a really proud moment and I was so pleased for all of them. It followed the growth over many years, all of the new initiatives they have positively taken forward, so much change dealt with. And for me the most rewarding part was seeing so many people developing into superstars across the whole department.

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

A first simple step is that our job adverts are built to take out any language that could deter candidates, adjusted for inclusive wording. We have run diversity and inclusion events at schools and also internally, encouraging people from all backgrounds to join us! My department's great place to work scores show that everyone feels treated fairly regardless of age, race, sexual orientation and gender, and I would not have it any other way. Inclusivity has to be the standard position, and diversity makes us stronger!

Our IT department is potentially unique in that we have a strong mix of people from pure technical backgrounds, but also people from pure business backgrounds that have made the transition and are thriving. This has been very rewarding also.

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

Everyone has to be careful not to get overly excited by the latest trend. We see what happens with the analyst predictions of metaverse having multi-billion dollar markets. Fear of missing out is a real issue when the excitement of tech kicks in. I always believe in focusing on the true use case and problems being solved by the tech before heading in; of course, making some fun experiments too...

One of the best technologies that has lasted the hype has been RPA. With Gen AI I still think it has a lot of good uses - but currently without major change more to help bypass writers block, avoid procrastination and giving various topics a quick kick start! Productivity can be improved as long as people understand the limitations of it.

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

Perhaps the fact that we are successfully running a "software house within a bank". We don't rely on too much industry standard software platforms, our key systems are all in house, supported by in-house talent, supplemented by colleagues in other locations around the globe!

What's your secret talent?

I can make decent latte art! A huge coffee fan but with the unique skill to hold off to just one decent coffee per day! Also I have driven myself to exercise so regularly for many years, that it is not a chore but something I actively look forward to. It's so important for everybody to get any form of exercise into their lives, even better if it can be outdoors for light exposure!

What makes you laugh?

The latest Michael McIntyre tour, caught the London leg, led to tears of laughter. He just has a great way of turning everyday moments into side splitting hilarity. The less mature answer - stuff like the viral video of the guy out for a family walk slipping over in mud! There is actually a scientific study into why people falling over is funny - it only triggers laughter if the person slipping shows bewilderment or surprise. If they show pain, I'm pleased to say, it is not funny!