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.
Good bookkeeping has been an essential aspect of business since the dawn of time, and it's the reason why there will always be a need for firms like Kreston Reeves. Providing accountancy services and financial advice to both businesses and individuals, the company caters to a wide range of customers, and keeping pace with modern technology is an important part of making sure the firm remains competitive.
IT and operations director Chris Madden is responsible for this, as well as managing the firm's eight facilities across the UK, and has also spearheaded the company's remote working transformation during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Over more than a decade, he has been instrumental in driving Kreston Reeves' IT strategy.
Chris Madden
IT and Operations Director - Kreston Reeves
Describe your role in 20 words or fewer.
I'm responsible for Kreston Reeves' whole IT strategy, including budgeting, vendor selection, implementation and daily operations.
What was your first computer?
My first computer was an Atari 400; I recall my version had a whole 16KB of memory and a separate cassette recorder to load and save programs - which often failed after an hour of loading!
What do you like most about working in IT?
I love the pace of change. It means there's always something new to consider.
If you could magically get rid of one piece of technology forever, what would it be, and why?
I'd get rid of email - too many people misuse emails and use them to avoid conversations - I.E. 'I sent an email, so it's not my responsibility any more'. It's just wrong.
What future tech innovations are you most excited about?
I think RPA and AI could really reshape the accountancy sector, and bring benefits to many other sectors too.
Who's your biggest inspiration in the world of tech?
My biggest tech inspiration from a historical point of view would be Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was one of the fathers of the industrial revolution. Some more contemporary people would be Elon Musk and Tim Berners-Lee. The latter not only laid the foundations of the internet we now know, but it was created for CERN, and I also like to read about particle physics and quantum mechanics.
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.
