Simon Lewis

SIMON LEWIS

Virtual CIO and Director of vIT4u LTd

Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself

We are based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.  I moved to Yorkshire when I met the woman who would become my wife.  My role as Director of vIT4u Ltd is almost that of everything because I can't help myself, probably much to the annoyance of the rest of the team.  

Mainly management, planning, Customer Account Management, and Chief Information Officer (internally and externally for clients).  

What path have you taken to your current position? 

Crumbs, well I started as a programmer but living on Angl3s3y in Wales there wasn't a lot for call for that.  Consequently, I ended up teaching IT.  I spent some time working for a local IT firm and installing networks. I then became a network manager then jumped ship to become an IT Manager for a multinational cheese manufacturer.  

I then met my wife-to-be and moved to Yorkshire where I became a network security officer for a web developer.  Finally, I formed my own IT business where I find myself today.

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 often thought about forming my own IT firm but never believed I'd do it until circumstances dictated it.  

Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey? (If you feel comfortable, please share their name and how they helped you)

None.

How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?

Increasingly I'm playing devil's advocate.  Business leaders look for solutions and rarely consider the complications of adopting one solution over another.  Nor do they tend to consider the risks of one over another.

What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?

The same, leadership has not changed, people have not changed.  Only the tools have changed.  

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'd like to open up the business to more employment opportunities.  Give more people an income, I'm getting older and can't do this forever so I need to school my replacement.

What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who are just starting their careers?

Specialise in something niche.  Be the best at something unique to you.

"Be the best at something unique to you."

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome it?

Educating business owners that just because something isn't law doesn't mean you should ignore it.  Compulsory wearing of seatbelts saves lives.  

IT security isn't law (yet) but taking it seriously and protecting a business will stop it being launched through the digital equivalent of a windscreen.

What role do you see emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, blockchain) playing in your industry, and how are you preparing for them?

Emerging technologies are just more tools.  If used wisely they will help the decision-making process.  

Care needs to be taken in not allowing those tools to become the decision-making process.

A big thank you to Simon Lewis from vIT4u LTd for sharing his 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.