Leaders S1: E17 - Martin Smale

This week, David catches up with Martin Smale, the former CIO of Synamedia, about the changing role of CIO over the last few decades and the importance of IT and digital for modern business strategies. They also discuss creating a relaxed open culture in your teams and delivering what is necessary for a business... at minimum, a viable product.

Martin has over 30 years’ experience of managing large multinational teams and projects in fast moving, commercially and technically demanding organisations for companies such as Homebase, News Corporation, NDS, Cisco and most recently Synamedia. He is vastly experienced at running IT and Facilities teams both day-to-day and through acquisition and carve out activities driving out costs from the business. He is respected for his ability to tackle complex issues along with his pragmatic approach to getting the job done.  Martin is a dynamic and strategic global leader putting simplification, End-User Experience and business outcomes first, he delivers global programs that have significant impact on the underlying operating cost, delivering significant year on year savings.  He is passionate about inspiring others to achieve, through leading by example and energizing those around him. As a respected leader and mentor he encourages employees to aim higher and excel in all we do through simplification, innovation and thinking differently.