MIAO SONG
GLOBAL Chief Information Officer at GLP
Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself
I am the Global CIO of GLP, based in Singapore at the moment, in my current role, I manage all technology/data/digital transformation for GLP.
What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?
A native of Beijing, I graduated from Peking University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information in 1992 and started my career with Nestle in China. I was the first local IT employee there and started in an application support role. Subsequently took on an ERP implementation role and led an ERP implementation for 10 JVs and 15 sales offices covering more than 1000 users.
After 5 years with Nestle, I joined Royal Dutch Shell, one of the largest Oil & Gas companies in the world. In my 14-year career with Shell, I worked in Beijing, the Netherlands and Singapore taking on the Country IT head, regional IT lead and global IT leadership role. I had been managing IT operations in the largest Refinery and Chemical manufacturing in the world, my last role with Shell was Global Strategy and Planning lead for Application Services.
In 2014, I joined Johnson& Johnson as the CIO of ASPAC, managing digital transformation and technology implementation for all APAC countries, I also led cloud transformation for JnJ global Medical devices business
From 2018 to 2021, I was the global CIO and board member of Mars Petcare, based out of Brussels, Belgium. I had been working on digital transformation and technology innovation of the 25 billion $ global company
Now I am the Global CIO and Executive Committee member of GLP, one of the leading investment and asset builders that operates globally
Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?
I have always wanted to become a global CIO in a large company. Always inspired by the art of the possible of technology and innovation
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?
I have been working with a few mentors during my career progression. One of them was my former line manager in the Netherlands, he taught me how to become an authentic and inspirational leader. I also had a few external mentors during my career progression, they all gave me valuable advice at the critical turning points of my career.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
The technology leader role has been evolving quite a lot in the past 5 years. The tech leader needs to understand deeply the solutions but also understands well the business. It is a both business leader and functional leader role.
What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?
I think future leaders need the following skills: learning agility, building a shared vision, ability to move faster in the dynamic world, understanding of digital and data too.
How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?
I keep myself up to speed with the technology trends and new skill sets through the following
- Attending the industry conferences to learn from other companies
- Reading technology blogs, articles, and research
- Industry peer connections
- Online learning of new technologies
What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?
I think the next leap in technology will be quantum computing. It will increase the speed of dealing with larger volume of data in many industries therefore helping organizations to make more timely decisions and shape the industry.
"Be humble, be authentic, and be open-minded to learn new things."
If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?
The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Be humble, be authentic, and be open-minded to learn new things.
Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?
Yes. One day, I would like to set up my own consulting firm and if possible, to teach the younger generations.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Our environment and the climate, I wish we had a better climate.
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