David Lewis

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

An experienced IT leader with a strong business/commercial mindset, David interprets how technology can be used to achieve results in the growth, cost and risk conversation. He creates and defines IT strategy and oversees all IT functions for the Hargreaves Services Group of Companies. David is passionate in helping team members develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in IT.

How did you get into IT?

Via finance! I worked on financial system deployments in 1990s, including; AS400, SAP, Movex and latterly, following a break (see secret talent) Sage X3. Took up the lead IT role for Hargreaves Services Plc in 2015, with a move to assist the Board and Senior Exec Managers as Group IT Director this year, helping to "bridge the gap" between IT and the Boardroom.

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

Accreditation, for all group companies, of Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and UK companies for ISO27001, following successful completion of a long-term IT strategy. This supported the Plc through a major strategic transition, a move away from being predominantly a solid fuel (Coal) business with £900m turnover into multiple divisions in the Land, Services and Industrial arenas, who are either a new business or one re-inventing themselves.

The need to build a secure resilient network infrastructure to support such a transition has included some major projects, including: deploying Cloud platforms (private hosted solutions and building our Microsoft Cloud solution); migration to M365 for all users; deployment of our Azure Landing Zone; migration from our legacy MPLS to SD-WAN eco-system; Zero-Trust deployment; and of course digital transformation projects.

Achieving the internationally recognised accreditations was the culmination in delivering against the IT strategy, and testament to the dedication of the IT team - all eight of us!

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

Our company has created an inclusive workplace culture and have fully embraced our ESG requirements and commitments. We have an EDI and Equal Opportunities policy that we follow: the opening statement reads: "The Company is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. You and any job applicants will receive, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, sex or sexual orientation." A suite of policies are in place covering "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion".

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

It has to be AI and ML! The talk about this being a "game-changer" looks to be spot on. However understanding the process, introducing a strategy from evaluation and readiness workshops, with guidelines to help support both the technical teams and end users, is a MUST DO! How will this technology help Hargreaves Services in the weeks, months and years to come? This is where it the excitement begins!

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

An easy response: we have an IT team of nine talented people. The team covers the whole group, all Business Units: Hargreaves Services Plc, Hargreaves Land Ltd, Hargreaves Industrial Services Ltd, Hargreaves Asia, Hargreaves Environmental, Logistics and Minerals (HELM), and Blackwell Earthmoving Ltd. I lead a team of exceptional, dedicated professionals who cover all areas "IT": Network, Infrastructure, Business Support, Security, Cybersecurity, Compliance and Digital.

What's your secret talent?

I am a Qualified UEFA/FA football coach. In 2006 I lost my father and one of our last conversations was him telling me to "have no regrets". I have held on to that thought every day. In 2009 I took the decision to take a break from mainstream work (had to convince my wife, mind you!) and followed my passion, football! My goal was to become a Qualified UEFA/FA football coach. It was a three year plan taking me to all corners of the UK and into Europe to "learn" and coach at a high level. Having achieved the objective it was time to return to "work" (as directed by my wife!). However, in the world of IT I can now, quite nicely, switch the discussion to football/football coaching.

What makes you laugh?

My four Grandsons. Something new every time I see them! They keep me on my toes...That makes others laugh!