The Chief 'How' Officer - Panel Debate live at CITL Conference 2024

The Chief ‘How’ Officer - Panel Debate at CITL Conference

Something a bit special this week - a live version of the podcast. We’re in the midst of conference season, and we thought we’d follow hot in the footsteps of other famous podcasts by having a live episode - recorded in front of an audience.

This week’s episode features:

Kevin Adams - CIO at The Donkey Sanctuary

Anna Hoskins - Head of Technology at CAFOD

Giri Gopalan - Head of Technology Design at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association .

In this live episode, Stuart talks with Kevin, Anna and Giri about transformation - and how they have seen it succeed in their organisations. They discuss how organisations can approach change to enable them to move forward from their day-to-day challenges and refocus technology, digital and change on their future operating model. Check below for links to listen to the podcast.

From the CITL 2024 Conference

The CITL conference was very lively this year with , and had some really great content, including an update from Neil Furminger at IASME on Cyber Essentials changes coming next year, a thought-provoking talk from CEO, Andrew Lennox on the role CTO’s can play in their executive leadership teams, and lessons for leaders that previous podcast guest Laura Dawson has picked up over a glittering career in the charity and higher education sectors.

There were also some brilliant sessions on softer skills including ‘Beating the Imposter in the room’ from Elizabeth ONeill and Iain Smith. I was also thrilled to present a masterclass on Delivering Outstanding Board Presentations alongside Philippa Hale, which went so well, we’ve organised a follow-up course for charities and individuals (please get in touch if interested).

Finally, I have to mention the hilarious comedian, that is Louise Stevenson. Her set at the gala dinner went down a storm with the members, and she also continued the theme of building outstanding leaders with some background and tips from her other role as CEO of SpeakEasy coaching, which helps aspiring leaders hone their presentation skills.

If your charity is not yet a member of Charity IT Leaders - it’s well worth checking out… and I’m sure the conference next year will also be a must-have in your diary.

Stay Tuned for more insights in future episodes

If you haven’t listened to Season 1 yet – have a look back at some great previous episodes, with a particular focus on AI Adoption. Coming up in Season 2, we have guests from across the NFP/Charity sector, as well as outside challenging voices, and some guests from international organisations. Virtue & Virtuosity comes out fortnightly. If you’re keen for me to feature something going on in your charity, please get in touch - and do comment on anything in here, or in the podcast that you like.

Remember – follow on your favourite podcast platform, today, so that you don’t miss an episode.

https://virtuevirtuosity.com

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(please ask if you think there is somewhere I else I should be publishing, and I’ll endeavour to add it!)

About our host and guests

Stuart McSkimming, Podcast Host

Stuart is an independent consultant and founder of the sector-specific Technology consultancy, Virtue Chain . He is an award-winning leader with over twenty years’ experience in NFP/Charity leadership roles, predominantly in the technology/digital and transformation space. He is an expert in getting the most from teams and focusing organisations on strategic goals to get the most from Technology & Digital. He is passionate about organisations focusing on inclusion and finding ways to attract a diverse mix of top talent into their teams. He has worked as a CIO for two organisations – Shelter and Royal British Legion, and also a variety of roles for VSO – including a short stint as an Interim International Development Country Director in VSO Nepal. Stuart is extensively networked in the not-for-profit sector both in the UK, and internationally, and is the Vice Chair of the membership organisation, Charity IT Leaders. Stuart enjoys regular public speaking, and also has been known to do stand-up comedy gigs occasionally.

In case its not obvious, views expressed are Stuart’s own view, and don’t represent those of any organisations he is working with or mentions.

Kevin Adams

Kevin Adams is an award-winning Senior Leader with more than 35 years’ experience of managing change and technology. He has worked for several large companies including British Telecom and Tui Travel, Amey, Cable and Wireless and Meggitt Aerospace. Currently Kevin is Chief Technical Officer at The Donkey Sanctuary where he is the driving force behind their global digital strategy.

He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and has been recognised for his contribution to technology by being included in the prestigious CIO 100 awards. He has nine U.S. and European patents on knowledge and content management solutions.

Anna Hoskins

Anna is a highly successful transformation and technology professional with over 20 years’ experience leading organisational change, system design, development, and implementation. Specialising in solving complex organisational issues, she has a track record for establishing a vision for how technology can best be used in support of organisational goals and delivering creative, cost-efficient solutions. Anna has been working at CAFOD in the non-profit sector for the last 10 years. Over this period, the technology, data and digital function at CAFOD has gained a reputation for ‘punching above its weight’ in terms of their roadmaps, solutions and capability.

Giri Gopalan

Giri has over 20 years experience in IT Systems across various stages of the project Life cycle and Operations in FMCG Supply Chain and Telecom domains. More recently he has spent the last five years as Head of Technology Design at Guide Dogs, and is highly experienced in delivering mission critical systems for Government, Commercial and NFP clients