Chris Varley

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

Chris is a digital expert with over two decades of experience delivering software systems. Having held various roles ranging from web designer to CTO, Chris has worked with a diverse range of technologies and teams, honing his technical expertise in developing solutions to many challenging problems across the healthcare, recruitment, aviation and finance industries.

In addition to his professional achievements, Chris loves travelling and is also an avid swimmer and sea paddleboarder, making the most of his spare time in the water (he's previously swum a 10K!). With a passion for both technology and adventure, he always brings a unique perspective to his work.

How did you get into IT?

I was interested in IT from a very early age. As a child growing up the 80s, the pace of technological change was accelerating as the affordable home computer became a reality, and there was a genuine feeling that anything was possible with technology. My dad bought the family a ZX-81 and also the BBC launched a wide-ranging computer literacy programme. My school was one of the first to receive a - now legendary - BBC-B microcomputer.

I never studied technology as a discrete subject at school, usually finding it integrated in to other subjects such as business studies or maths. I then went through university at the time of the "browser wars" and I think that period - brimming with excitement around the information "superhighway" was what made me realise the massive potential of technology - particularly the web. So, I picked that to focus on as a career and - after getting my first proper job as a web designer - I never looked back!

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

This year we've built a system called FRM (Funding Risk Monitoring), which lets the UK Local Government Pension Scheme easily visualise their (often highly complex) financial position. It therefore helps Pensions Officers make the right investment decisions with up-to-date information - something they previously either couldn't do or would take a huge amount of effort.

FRM has been shortlisted for numerous FinTech and Pensions awards this year and our client feedback has been great. Nevertheless, to build it we've needed to build a high-performing team, who I'm really proud of. You can't create brilliant products without brilliant people, and I'd say my greatest achievement this year is growing a team where every single member of it is both brilliant in their own right and works brilliantly together too.

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

I'm a firm believe that complex problems are best solved by diverse teams, and regularly write and present on the benefits of DEI and allyship. When creating new systems, you're really doing something that no-one has ever done before (otherwise a suitable system would already exist). In these cases, a flash of insight or deep understanding from one person can let the whole team leap forward - so the more perspectives you have in your team, the better.

In our firm, I always encourage us look for people with "cultural add" (vs cultural "fit"), whether that's broadly through supporting underrepresented groups (we work with organisations such as Black Professionals Scotland and the Career-break returners programs), or ensuring our interviewing panels are as diverse across as many dimensions as possible to both remove bias and make people - regardless of their background - feel as welcome as possible.

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

Whilst it's hard to avoid the universal excitement around AI right now, I actually think that quantum computing will have a more important impact. It's not only fascinating (who wouldn't find the concept of computers made of light fascinating!), but also has the potential to change the world.

There are so many challenges in the world today that can be described as complex optimisation problems, such as live vehicle routing or resource allocation - things where there is no "correct answer", but reaching a "reasonable answer" very quickly is hugely beneficial. Quantum computing is already showing potential in these areas, potentially solving problems that would take classic binary computers hundreds or thousands of years to solve.

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

I think the variety would surprise most people. No one day is the same. So much of what I do is collaborating with people now. I work closely with folk from across our firm and mostly act as a translator across the various disciplines we have. Whilst I am occasionally asked my view on a design pattern, or to review a chunk of code, I don't really do any coding or architectural design any more.

Whilst I'm still regarded as a technologist, I actually spend most of my time on leadership, spending much more time helping others perform their own roles well than developing my own technical skills; whether that's through directly coaching them or creating an environment in which they can do their best work.

What's your secret talent?

I can't roll my tongue, play the oboe and I have never run a marathon - but - I can paddleboard on the sea - which is much harder than it looks! If you've ever tried standing up in a kayak, or tightrope walkin, it's a similar feat of balance! I can also do one singular pretty decent and well-practiced card trick, which has most people astonished when they see it.

What makes you laugh?

My teenage son would say I laugh at my own jokes - but I would challenge that view. Nonetheless - I'm a big fan of well-constructed, well-written and well-delivered comedy of any kind. Whether that's the incredibly awkward situations found in Curb Your Enthusiasm, the absurd caricatures of Spongebob or the incredible craftsmanship and timing of James Acaster's stand-up routines.