CIO Summit 2024 Wrap-Up: Insights, Innovation, and the Future Face of Tech Leadership

Australia, Nov 21, 2024

Last month wrapped up the end of the Logicalis global CIO Summit roadshow, culminating in Australia where events were held in both Sydney and Melbourne.

We were privileged to have Bob Bailkoski, global CEO of Logicalis attending both these sessions. As the opening keynote speaker, Bob reflected on a decade of the Logicalis CIO Report, tracing the journey from 2014's "shadow IT" to today's complex landscape of technological growth, cybersecurity, and increasing regulatory and sustainability demands.

“Back then, departments were making independent IT decisions without consulting IT leaders. CFOs would choose ERP systems, and CMOs would adopt CRM tools—often with budget reallocations," he said. 

"Many of you expressed frustration, feeling like you'd lost your strategic voice, pushed into a ‘basement’ role while others made big decisions. But this frustration marked the beginning of IT’s rise as a strategic leader."

Bob touched on sustainability and outlined that 93% of CIOs believe that IT is core to the success of their organisation's sustainability goals.

“Currently, IT contributes about 4% to global emissions, which may not sound substantial. However, its impact is expected to grow rapidly, reaching 14 to 20% of total emissions within a few years, partly due to the rise of AI. This makes it critical for us to act now to mitigate IT’s environmental footprint.” 

Bob’s keynote session was then followed by interactive roundtable discussions, offering attendees an opportunity to connect with their peers' and explore strategic topics of relevance to their business. Topics included navigating economic uncertainty, harnessing emerging technologies, cybersecurity in 2024 and data driven decision making.

“These roundtable discussions were an opportunity for our customers and partners to chat to each other about some of the pain points that they had experienced this year, and also to use those experiences to impact their plans for the future”, Lisa Fortey, Sales Director at Logicalis said.

Phil Barlow, Director Partner Technology & CTO, Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft then presented on how AI is moving from the engineer to the driver, and how we as IT leaders impact the wider use of AI in our organisations for maximum value.

Philip Barlow presenting at the Melbourne CIO Summit

Following Phil’s address, Velvet-Belle Templeman, Publisher at NextMedia and MC for the day, summarised the Gartner Symposium 2024 and the key findings. She mentioned that ‘more than 90% of CIOs said that managing cost limits their ability to get value from AI for their enterprise’ (based on the 2024 Gartner AI Survey – CIO and Technology Leader View).

Our day ended with a customer panel discussion which brought together some of the brightest minds in IT leadership from Western Sydney University, TSA Riley, Northern Health and Charter Hall discussing innovation, risk and people. This session wasn’t just a highlight—it was voted the top session by attendees.

The conversation kicked off with Karina Foley, Portfolio Manager for IT Operations at Western Sydney University, who explored the fine art of balancing day-to-day IT operations with long-term transformation goals. She emphasised the need for alignment between immediate tasks and strategic vision, sharing her approach to overcoming challenges by fostering cross-functional collaboration and keeping a clear focus on outcomes.

Christopher Johnson, Head of Group Technology from Charter Hall delved into the complexities of operating in a heavily regulated environment. He highlighted the constant tension between governance and innovation, explaining how his team manages these competing priorities by leveraging clear frameworks and open stakeholder communication. His advice for others: prioritise transparency and consistency to build trust and deliver value in parallel.

Andy Wilson, General Manager for technology & Digital Systems from TSA Riley reflected on the company’s rapid growth and the challenges of integrating multiple platforms following a series of acquisitions. He shared his "golden rule" for success—ensuring integration efforts are always tied to operational continuity and return on investment (ROI). His pragmatic approach underscored the importance of balancing complexity with simplicity to drive scalable outcomes.

David Calvo, Chief Information Officer from Northern Health provided a unique perspective on balancing the pressures of innovation with the critical need to maintain stable and secure infrastructure in a healthcare setting. He emphasised the importance of strategic resource allocation and a commitment to patient outcomes, highlighting how innovation can enhance, rather than disrupt, essential services.

Karina Foley from Western Sydney University also spoke to the audience about innovation and how to encourage innovation: ‘You can’t place a KPI on innovation, you just have to create an environment that supports it’.

As the session unfolded, the panel addressed broader topics that resonated with the audience. From defining IT leadership legacies to aligning team performance with career progression, the discussion provided actionable insights for navigating today’s dynamic technology landscape. A recurring theme was the importance of empowering teams and fostering a culture of continuous learning to keep pace with the demands of change.

The panel concluded by reflecting on what it means to be a Game Changer—balancing the immediate needs of the present with future-focused initiatives while maintaining alignment across teams. Each leader shared their personal strategies for achieving this balance, emphasising the value of clear communication, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to excellence.

The Logicalis CIO Summit concluded with impactful discussions highlighting IT's evolving leadership role. From Bob Bailkoski's reflection on IT's strategic rise and its role in sustainability to interactive roundtables and expert insights, the event fostered collaboration and forward-thinking strategies.

10 Years of the Logicalis CIO Report: Key Outcomes and Learnings for CIOs in 2024

CEO of Logicalis, Bob Bailkoski reflects on a decade of the Logicalis CIO Report and the evolution of IT leadership. In this keynote, Bob explores critical topics including leveraging AI in the 4th industrial revolution, AI-driven security and the need for hypervigilance, IT’s role in sustainability and reducing emissions, balancing priorities in emerging technologies and more. Discover how CIOs are adopting adaptive leadership styles to navigate today’s challenges and drive progress in the full video.

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Logicalis Group CEO Robert Bailkoski sits down with iTnews to explore the evolving role of the CIO and the future of technology leadership. In this engaging interview, he discusses the impact of disruptive technologies on businesses and the importance of embracing these changes as opportunities. Robert highlights how CIOs can leverage emerging intelligence to drive innovation, adapt to challenges, and position their organisations for success. Watch the full interview to gain valuable insights into the future of tech leadership.

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CIO insights