Spotlight on Steven Bottomley

I am a senior technology leader with experience across Property, Aviation, Tech and Retail businesses. My passion is to understand how technologies can accelerate transformation and enable new opportunities for organisations.

Learn more about the UK & Ireland CIO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I started as most did on the IT Helpdesk before moving into roles leading delivery and support teams in PropTech. I worked at easyJet for leading a number of transformational delivery projects before moving to be accountable for the IT Services at Ocado, and now as the CIO at John Lewis Partnership. I have led business change through IT in each business with a broad exposure to different architectures and solutions.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Continuously Challenge Yourself. The world is evolving so quickly that I cannot assume that the right answer yesterday is the right answer today. Be curious about what else could be done and be open to having a change of mind.
 

What is the greatest challenge CIOs face today, and how are you addressing it?

Aligning Expectations.There is a huge discrepancy between the appetite for change and the resources available to deliver – making it critical to keep expectations realistic, especially with AI."
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CIO?

Build your allies and have your teams back. Your credibility will be based on how you operate in the tough moments rather than the easy ones.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

There are so many aspects to this answer, but ultimately it is that you are trusted across all levels to be doing the right thing.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

Connecting with people who will help to challenge you and support you.
 

Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.