Interview – Iain Gauld, Chief Information Officer, Contact Energy

Iain Gauld is the Chief Information Officer at Contact Energy, leading the technology transformation to support Contact’s Customer Business Strategy. In this role Iain is responsible for IT Strategy and Architecture, IT Delivery & Support, IT Vendor Management and Information Risk and Security. Iain’s previous experience includes senior global IT roles at Macquarie Bank, JPMorgan Chase and SKY TV (UK).

What do you feel are the biggest challenges IT leaders are currently faced with within their business?

The challenge to deliver more business value and drive consistent innovation – at speed, securely…while saving costs! Competition is increasing especially from startups, there is more regulation so it’s a question of adapt or die.

As an IT leader, what do you feel businesses continue to get wrong when it comes to their IT strategy?

Not having an aligned business and IT strategy and too much short term thinking. Not been really clear on and not tracking benefits realisation.

What are the latest trends and behaviours you predict will be surfacing on the market over the coming 12 months?
AI and Machine Learning is in its early days but will grow and mature and become integral to core business processes and customer journeys. How we interact with technology will also continue to evolve as Virtual Reality becomes more prevalent. The Internet of Things will explode and open up a world of opportunities.

What is the best piece of advice you have received within your job over the years?

The more senior your role the better you need to become at dealing with the grey and uncertainty – you have to learn to make decisions without all the inputs or data you might want. As leaders this is the space we operate in.