SEKAYI MUTAMBIRWA
CIO & Co-founder at LottoNCrowd
Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself
I'm UK-based. I'm the CIO and co-founder of LottoNCrowd, building websites for convenience stores, online lottery, and delivery services.
I'm a NED for a Limited Enterprise Partnership focused on technology, innovation, and funding scale-ups.
What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?
I started in management consulting implementing software projects on client sites in the UK and Europe. Normally projects would last a few weeks or months with a project team going through the project lifecycle, before launching.
Then I moved onto lead digital transformation projects with big high street banks, covering AI, risk, robo advice, and fintech innovation in commercial, treasury, and investment banking.
Throughout this 10-year period, I started angel investing in fintech, mentoring start-ups through the top fintech, blockchain and web 3 accelerators, and working with VCs for funding.
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?
One of my goals was to become a tech founder.
Looking back, my journey turned out to have been a good blend of skills, for my current role. I could not have imagined how it would have turned out.
Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?
I've had the opportunity to work with some very talented people, no single mentor.
In consulting, my role models were those who thought outside the box and found solutions to design challenges presented by business complexity and technical restrictions.
In banking and investing mentors showed the importance of doing your own research, building relationships, and buy-in to support a shared vision.
As a co-founder, I've found being part of mastermind groups useful for working through challenges, networking, and opportunities.
How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?
I see the role becoming more multidisciplinary with the convergence of technologies such as Web3 (AR/VR), AI, and hardware. I think this will create more immersive experiences, data sharing with embedded products and services.
With the technology lines being blurred, leaders will be forced to keep up with increasing regulation and security challenges.
I also see more board room requirements for technology leaders in the same way they do with audit, risk, and finance.
What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?
Staying ahead of emerging technology and future-proofing projects.
Being prepared for more change with the expansion of current technology.
Sharp learning curves to adapt to customer requirements and expectations.
Staying alert with competitors' advancements and knowing when to compete or partner.
Including sustainability goals in decision-making.
How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?
I believe in continuous learning, it doesn't stop after university. I enroll for courses, attend conferences, webinars, listen to industry leaders, read plenty of articles, participate in networking events and use the new tech.
What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?
Immersive and interactive spaces with more people experiencing this in school, work and leisure time. Web 4, 5 or 6 will add more tech depth in our everyday experiences beyond screen time.
"Stay on your toes, don't get comfortable with the status quo."
If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?
More EQ, listening, and investing in colleagues will reflect in their interactions with customers and partners.
Customer feedback should be key in your design and experience decisions.
Stay on your toes, don't get comfortable with the status quo.
Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?
I would like to have a portfolio of board roles and I want to be the GP of my own VC fund.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
A big thank you to Sekayi Mutambirwa from LottoNCrowd for sharing her journey to date.
If you would like to gain more perspective from Tech Leaders and CIOs you can read some of our other interviews here.
