CIO , COPADO

What would you describe as your most memorable achievement ?

Even though the company is evolving at a rapid pace , when I consider how we started Copado – with no capital , no connections and a real ‘ bootstrap ’ approach – and then how it is now , it hits home that we had all achieved something special . Especially reaching market leadership in the face of competition from Silicon Valley and London .

What first made you think of a career in technology ?

I have always been very optimistic about technology . I see it as the biggest avenue for creativity in business these days and that is perhaps what drew me to this field . A career as a doctor , lawyer , or accountant never really appealed to me . But when I saw how engineering gave you free rein to build and break , I realised it would be a natural home for me . When software became the newest variation on that , removing physical limitations , I quickly moved into this field . The same principles of exploration and creativity remain with me today .

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?

Alongside the other leaders at Copado , I strive to create an environment where people feel they can contribute and are free to experiment and contribute efforts – regardless of if that then leads to failure or success . We are looking to create an environment where learning and growth drive innovation .

As the ‘ leader ’ in this endeavour , I personally feel that the attributes of humility and approachability are paramount . I work right alongside our teams and I believe strongly that fun and enjoyment – a genuine emotional connection – can make this sustainable .

What do you think has emerged as the technology trend of this year , and why ?

I think it ’ s clearly Generative AI . Its launch and presence has grown so quickly and it is applicable beyond technology , to so many other industries . The reason behind this is perhaps more economic than technological : tougher market conditions demand increased efficiencies and the automation and opportunities that AI offers are incredibly attractive in this regard .

If you think back a couple of years , the markets were all about growth , with cheap capital and money . Compared to the current conditions , everyone is looking into efficiency , EBITDA and margins – hence the huge interest in Gen AI and the potential for disruption to processes .

What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?

The main investment driver is customer retention and satisfaction – in a contracting economy or a tougher climate , you see this every time . Budgets for large scale innovation have reduced , and despite the fact that everyone is looking into Gen AI , such innovation is a much smaller percentage of investment than it was .

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