Welcome to the IT Pro Panel Profile, where we talk to the CIOs, experts and IT leaders that make up the IT Pro Panel, and discover their top tech, pet peeves and IT inspirations.
Some organisations need a full-time CIO on hand for day-to-day operations, but that’s not necessary for every business. Some companies can make do with a smaller, more localised IT leadership. But what happens when those companies suddenly find themselves in need of a CIO?
That’s when they call in Patricio Colombo, founder and director of CIO on Demand UK. Patricio operates as a freelance CIO-for-hire, stepping in when companies need a short-term senior IT leader to oversee specific projects or act as an interim CIO.
With previous experience overseeing IT for HELLO! Magazine, the European Tour and the Jamie Oliver Group, Patricio brings a wealth of experience to bear, making him well-placed to step into the breach at short notice and get It departments back on track.
Patricio Colombo
Founder - CIO On Demand
Describe your role in 20 words or fewer.
I do interim IT roles to help companies with short term challenges and to prepare strategies for the longer term.
What was your first computer?
I had the Commodore 128, the Commodore 64’s more impressive older brother.
What do you like most about working in IT?
Being at the cutting edge of technology and making things happen, but also IT is in the middle of any business these days, and that allows you to be in a privileged position in any organisation to help and drive growth.
If you could magically get rid of one piece of technology forever, what would it be, and why?
Email marketing. People should be able to have a say in how their data is captured and manipulated, and despite current legislation, they don't.
What future tech innovations are you most excited about?
Advances in miniaturisation and new technologies that enable diagnostics, and improvements in healthcare.
Who’s your biggest inspiration in the world of tech?
There are too many people that inspired me in tech over the years. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, but pioneers before them as well such as Alan Turing, Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace, without whom we wouldn't have the tech we have today.
If you're a senior IT decision-maker and you'd like to apply to be part of the IT Pro Panel, please email panel@itpro.co.uk
