Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
In the face of a turbulent 2022, the IT industry remained (mostly) a star player. No matter your company's size, shape or sector, technology is the one constant presence; and while some workers suffered during last year's Big Tech layoffs, demand at other firms remains as high as ever.
IT leaders, of course, know how influential technology has been in recent years, and have unique insight into what the year ahead is likely to hold. That's why we asked a selection of the UK's highest-performing tech superstars from our Top 100 IT Leaders list what they expect 2023 to bring to the table.
Predicting the future is never easy, of course, and the responses underscore that fact. Most, like Boots CIO Richard Corbridge, think we're in for hard times ahead; others, like ArcelorMittal's Kris Kupilas, predict (or perhaps hope for) more stability. And there will always be some, like Mark Ridley, who see adversity as a crucible for innovation.
Andy Caddy, CIO, PureGym
Smart companies will need to pivot quickly as the macro-economic climate is still unsettled and the cost-of-living crisis is likely to really come into focus in the first half of 2023. Businesses will need to react tactically and technology should be at the table, ready to help and lead through these turbulent times.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Lesley Salmon, Global CIO, Kellog Company
Better and faster innovation that builds digital momentum and dexterity in 2023 and beyond.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Steven Capper, Group CIO, SNC-Lavalin
An end to unnecessary wars and focus on the things that really matter, such as climate change and food poverty.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Charles Ewen, CIO, The Met Office
A tough year but one full of potential and opportunity as well as challenges, at a time when it is even more important to strive to make a difference.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Steve Woodward, Head of Blockchain, AngloAmerican
A long crypto winter and a year of consolidation in the industry. Those who have strong business governance will survive.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
John Sullivan, CIO, Great British Railways
Digital change will be even more important but with slightly more focus on cost savings. Over the last few years (decades) I see a slow improvement in how businesses improve how change is delivered, and expect this to continue.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Tom Clark, CTO, Ardonagh Advisory
The pace will continue. Post-COVID, everything is operating at a faster and more intense pace - and with the external challenges we see this to at least maintain, if not increase.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Jane Deal, IT Director, The Law Society
'Interesting times', both at work and globally. The former will be extremely busy and it's increasingly difficult to predict ‘What's next?' with the latter.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Richard Corbridge, CIO, Boots UK & Ireland
It is going to be a hard year where we will need to use the lessons of continuing to grow during the pandemic to secure IT's position in our organisations. Investment will be challenged and in-year results will be the normal, only the brightest strategic directions will be untouchable and only these will be achieved.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Mark Ridley, Director, Ridley Industries
Unexpected opportunities. It's going to be a tough year for everyone, but adversity breeds innovation, and I'm excited to see what the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators bring. I'm hoping to see the tech giants having a big reset, through policy changes, new competition and a re-evaluation of their true enterprise value.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Kris Kupilas, R&D Digital Transformation Lead, ArcelorMittal
I am moving into 2023 with hope that the world will become less turbulent and people will have more stability. I am looking forward to starting new projects and finishing some, and I hope that digital transformation will work closer and closer with sustainability.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Ian Hill, Director of Information & Cyber Security, Upp
I fear that 2023 will be one of the most challenging years, certainly in my lifetime. I can see a perfect storm forming, geopolitically and economically, with no end in sight for the war in Ukraine driving global military spending to an all-time high; rising tensions between China & USA over Taiwan; a worsening recession fuelling the rise of nationalism in Europe and elsewhere; the ongoing energy crisis re-enforcing the environmental paradox; and who knows what COVID will do next?
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Laura Meyer, angel investor and former HarperCollins CIO
It's going to be a turbulent year economically and politically - but opportunities for transformational new businesses especially in tech will always be there.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Terry Willis, Director of Technology, Church of England
Geo-politics will increase the level of cyberthreats, and most will be from state-sponsored actors.
Speed, security, savings: IT leaders' 2023 predictions
Will adversity breed success?
Dewi Price, Interim CIO, Inizio Digital
A gradual thawing of the permacrisis