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.
Editor's note: The following profile was written while Graeme McDermott was serving as CDO for Addison Lee. He has since become CDO of TempCover.
Any regular reader of IT Pro will be able to tell you that data is the engine that is powering digital transformation, with companies old and new scrambling to take advantage. For private hire taxi company Addison Lee, the man in charge of that initiative is Graeme McDermott.
As the Chief Data Officer, McDermott is responsible for helping the company analyse and utilise its corporate data, using it to drive cost optimisations and operational efficiencies throughout the business. He also has to make sure that the firm’s data governance policies are compliant with the relevant pieces of legislation, including GDPR and others.
With transformative technologies like AI and machine learning coming to fruition, there are big things in store for the area of data science, and it’s CDO’s like McDermott who are driving it.
Graeme McDermott
CDO - Addison Lee
Describe your role in 20 words or fewer.
Chief Data Officer at Addison Lee. I was brought in to modernise the company’s data approach and exploit analytics to grow the bottom line.
What was your first computer?
My first PC was a Sinclair ZX80, which my uncle made from a kit and upgraded to a ZX81!
What do you like most about working in IT?
I work in data but my role is 50% IT, working with technical people. I love solving a business problem with data and analytics, even if it’s just to back-up a gut feeling.
If you could magically get rid of one piece of technology forever, what would it be, and why?
I love technology, but I'd love everyone to trade their smartphone for a phone that only calls people for three days a week and doesn't work at weekends!
What future tech innovations are you most excited about?
The potential and existing use cases for AI are amazing. It’s not a fad, but I hope it doesn't become over-hyped and abused, resulting in a bad image.
Who’s your biggest inspiration in the world of tech?
Elon Musk - he walks a fine line between brilliance and madness, and he’s always thinking of the customer.
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