David Lewis

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2025.

Delighted to make the Top 100 IT Leaders last year, 2024-25 (and moving into 2026) sees David transitioning into a more focused strategic role, which has provided him with a new energy in his working day.

Although he has reduced the hours he works in the week, advancements in technology have meant David’s output has grown in the areas required. His family and social time is improved and his zest for working in the IT arena has received a huge boost.

“A healthy positive mind can bring positive results at home and at your place of work!”

What's the most exciting part of your current role?

Shaping the Group IT Strategy alongside the Business and Operational Strategies.

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

Having completed a long term (five-year) plan, a rare occurrence in the IT field these days, making the headroom to allow me to transition into a new role and provide the guidance and support for the new group IT manager. Completing technical and cost reviews of our Core Business systems and Core Security products have helped shape the Group Strategy for the forthcoming year (Fy26 June25-May26)

What's the biggest challenge facing IT leaders today, and how are you tackling it?

For ourselves it is the protection of our company assets, safeguarding business operations with the appropriate security applications, with a clear focus on cost! Having deployed global leading security products we have done, and continue to do, product reviews to assess suitability, potential cross-over and whether products are both fit for purpose and future-proofed.

What piece of technology could you not live without, and why?

An interesting question - I'm going to go for my new "office mate" AI (Copilot!). Having transitioned to a new role and reduced the hours in my working week, I use Copilot on a daily basis on many different tasks. From creation of strategy documents through to high level presentations, technical questions, admin tasks, the addition of Copilot to the "team" is proving to be great move - and we have only just started!

What excites you most about the future of IT?

The role of IT within the overall Business offering: IT security, cybersecurity, compliance, data protection, accreditations thereof and how these areas all play a fundamental part in improving our business offerings to both current and potential partners/clients.

What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?

Not really had a "strange job,” but in my early years of employment I worked for a pharmaceutical/chemical company, producing Metamucil (laxative) products. I worked in the sachet production areas, transferring the powder into the sachets with the use of latest technology machinery. Let's just say the first few months of doing this were "interesting" from a personal point of view! Myself and the other team members paid regular visits... I'll leave it there!

If you could instantly master one new skill, what would it be?

Teleportation...having the ability to transport myself to wherever I need to be! Remove one of my pet hates - travel time between destinations! Yes, Teams is great, but there is nothing better than meeting face-to-face and arriving at your destination in zero minutes.