Derek Colvin

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

Derek is a commercially-focused tech investment leader & operator with 25 years experience scaling businesses from pre-revenue. He's worked for industry giants like Microsoft (at the height of early internet fever) and the BBC, as well as founders and their start-ups.

For the past 9 years, Derek has been the Group Chief Technology Officer for MARCOL, a family office investor. He currently leads technology M&A, sits on the advisory boards of all MARCOL healthcare investments, and has been a key architect in shaping the company's growth trajectory through the intersection of people, products and technology - driving real value creation.

How did you get into IT?

I had always been fascinated with technology, and started with a Commodore VIC-20 when I was 8. I didn't really understand what I was doing most of the time, but I was hooked! As my fascination grew, the technology advanced, and I tried to keep up. I entered the job market at around at the start of the mass adoption of internet dial up, 1995, working for Scottish Power as a systems analyst. I loved everything about it, from climbing under desks to wire computers to being awake at midnight because of a call out. It wasn't just the technology I was interested in, it was the cultural change that I could see happening as a result of the huge upheaval the personal computer was bringing. I was really lucky in that I had people around me that supported me and believed in my ability.

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

I architected a technology carve out and build and buy strategy for one of our operating companies, creating a new brand (openrad) and delivering a combined tech product to market. I sit across four large operating companies in the Marcol healthcare and provide counsel for the technology leadership in each business. Our Goodshape business won app of the year (I can't in good faith take credit for that!). Our HealthHero business is now the largest digital telehealth company in Europe with a bespoke technology stack running at its core.

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

We make sure that our corporate policies reflect the prevailing societal standards, particularly for remote and odd hours / flexible working. I am always guided by hires by the best person for the role.

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

Wearable health tech combined with new pharmacology. Between these two things, where improvements in materials science mean sensors available in future to measure all manner of things on an immediate basis from the skin, combine with drugs to help, will see dramatic improvements in the individuals ability to improve their own health span. We see this already at the confluence of continuous glucose monitors and drugs like semaglutide.

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

The variety. I have one job title and at least seven different roles, and so much of my role is about people and not about technology.

What's your secret talent?

I ride at least 10,000km a year on my road bike, and race train with a professional UK team. For my age, I'm one of the strongest road cyclists in the UK.

What makes you laugh?

Life. I use good humour to get through most situations. We can't take ourselves too seriously.