Terry Willis

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2023.

A change-driven technology leader, Terry has a record of delivering innovation through digital transformation programmes. He has worked in various sectors including media, financial services and not-for-profit, driving change and modernising IT everywhere he goes.

How did you get into IT?

By accident! I started to use a pocket Casio that required that you use BASIC coding to make it perform functions that mattered. I discovered I liked making machines do things that were repetitive much better and faster than I could. The rest is history.

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

I am proud to say I have a truly diverse group of people in my team and this has grown organically. When we recruit we ask for 'blind' CVs with names and details that can identify backgrounds and genders removed, to avoid unconscious bias of any kind.

Which technology are you currently most excited by?

Of course ChatGPT and how it will come to the masses in Microsoft's new Bing AI chatbot. Excitement and apprehension in equal measures.

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

That my team manage people on Bloomberg terminals alongside those studying to become clergy. A uniquely diverse range of user cases.

What's your secret talent?

Keeping calm when everyone else around panics.

What makes you laugh?

Dad jokes - I think I'm quite good at them.