Matt Sharp

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

Matt Sharp is Chief Digital Officer for RLB, Founder of RLB Digital, a Chartered Fellow of the BCS and sits on the Construction Industry Council of the UK to represent Chartered IT Professionals. He also sits on the UK Digital Skills Forum representing the construction industry.

Matt is an evangelist for the strategic influence and value of digital and data across the lifecycle of the construction industry. He is a champion for the development, professionalism, and recognition of digital and data talent in the sector.

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

Our construction industry is in the midst of a significant digital and data transformation. At RLB we want to lead the way for our industry through innovation and implementation of digital and data solutions.

My role as Chief Digital Officer therefore provides me the platform to work with strategic business leaders with a broad range of technical discipline expertise to design a digitally enabled, data-driven future for our business, our colleagues, our projects, our clients and our industry.

I am continuously horizon scanning and planning for tomorrow and beyond. This becomes most exciting as we deliver on our ambitions and implement new solutions.

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

The global collaboration of digital and data experts teamed with business subject matter experts to design, develop and launch RLB Nexus - our global benchmarking solution. RLB Nexus provides a data aggregation and analytics solution that enables RLB's global network of construction cost experts to share knowledge.

Behind the scenes, the complex programme has designed a common data architecture with a standardised global data dictionary that facilitates that translational between multiple regional cost management standards (each with their own data schema). Our RLB Nexus solution also enables for adjustments between geographies and over time. RLB Nexus therefore brings our incredible global expertise and experience to the fingertips of every colleague.

Our Global Chairman recently provided a live demonstration of the RLB Nexus solution to our Global Board and commented, "RLB Nexus isn't just a tool - it's a shift in how we capture knowledge, share and enhance our analytics and advise our clients. The better our data, the stronger our decision-making, empowering us to provide market-leading intelligence for our clients."

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

AI is a hugely exciting challenge - an emerging technology that we must learn to harness and optimise. It is extremely exciting, but it is providing a challenge on our data, our compute resources, our speed of innovation and project delivery, and our cybersecurity processes.

We have established a multi-disciplinary AI council at RLB to strategise our approach to AI and ensure that we are managed and protected on our AI journey. We have also invested in a dedicated AI R&D division for controlled exploration and development of AI enabled solutions.

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

My iPad - it goes everywhere with me. Work, rugby coaching, travel and commutes, holiday.

What excites you most about the future of IT?

The talented individuals that I see starting their careers. I had to learn a lot about IT, digital, data and technology as I entered the workplace. Work, tech and my skills have evolved a lot over twenty years. The skills, capability and understanding of those entering IT roles today is way beyond were I started - of course things will continue to evolve but I am hugely excited by the enthusiasm, ambition and talent of the future professionals that I am fortunate to meet across our business and our industry. The excitement is to see where these people will take IT in the future.

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

I used to work for an events security business and way back in 1999 I was part of the main Pyramid Stage security detail at Glastonbury. This sounds quite glamorous; however, part of the security rotation was to "guard" the VIP toilet block that was to be used only by the headline acts.

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

Playing guitar well enough to be able to gig - to be able to be part of a band - to be able to entertain a crowd. I have huge admiration for musicians, their natural talent and the hard work they have put in to master their instrument. I don't wish to take away from their many invested hours but if I could instantly master that skill I would.