Ecaterina Harling

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

Ecaterina is a curious leader with expertise in delivering large scale transformation programmes. She is currently Director of Transformation and Design at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where she looks after a multi-year investment programme that is revamping the Bank's processes and technologies. She is also executive coach at the Boardroom, where she works closely with female executives.

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

In 2024, I led a design portfolio of over 40 change and transformation initiatives, progressing many of these into execution and ensuring many complete and are adopted by users. This includes accelerating delivery of major foundational transformations, from rollout of new ERP to modernisation of our core Banking Platform to how we support our clients in Ukraine. The most exciting part is knowing that there is no part of the Bank that is not positively impacted by the Transformation agenda, that we're using technology to enable processes, products and most importantly our people and clients.

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

A project that stands out is working on a new way to support our clients in Ukraine. As the business designed new guarantee products, our transformation and IT colleagues designed a new portal for interactions and operations of the emerging product stack. This is the fastest time to market for a new product and is a scalable technology stack. I am proud to have been able to support this initiative.

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

The challenge remains outcome-based delivery. Whilst AI offers new technology opportunities, I feel we still have a way to go in embedding it into day-to-day operations and truly redesigning processes and products, whilst maintaining legacy platforms. The challenge is therefore mindset and getting people ready to adopt the new platforms.

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

I suspect this is the answer for many - Copilot. It is now such a core part of the daily productivity stack, from document summation to getting me to first draft in the assurance process.

What excites you most about the future of IT?

Innovation of the business and operating model remains a key focus for me in 2025 and beyond. I am most excited about new approaches to digital interactions for development purposes, whilst keeping people at the heart of delivery and reducing risk levels. I am excited about rethinking IT in the new context of development banking.

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

Evacuation of critical assets out of war zones.

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

Causal AI at scale. I feel merging big data, AI and pattern-making unlocks multiple opportunities.