- What will be the next major disruptor for CIOs and how can we adapt?
- Unexpected ways data and AI are transforming the CIO’s role in 2025
- How do we see the US tariffs impacting the technology vendor landscape? And how can we weather whatever storm this may bring?
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2025 Agenda
MORNING SESSION
8:50am
WELCOME ADDRESS
Technology & Innovation Editor, Business Post
9:00am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE MC
THE INFLUENTIAL CIO
9:10am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Future of CIO Leadership: Navigating New Realities and Disruptors in 2025 and beyond
Technology & Innovation Editor, Business Post
CIO, St James Hospital
Assistant Chief Executive / Chief Information Officer, Local Government Management Agency (LGMA)
Vodafone
9:55am
How are CIOs transforming IT from cost center to a revenue center?
- What kind of ROI are we seeing from the cloud – are we as agile and efficient as we can be?
- How can we better leverage automation and data-driven insights to flip the narrative of costly IT?
- IT budgets – are they going rising or falling, and what does that mean for planning and strategy?
CIO, Mannings Group
Head of UKI Implementation, Digital Realty
Head of IT, Cityjet DAC
10:40am
PRESENTATION:
Empowering the Future: Women Leading in AI and STEM
10:55am
Digital Transformation: Evolution, Not an Event
Digital transformation isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing evolution. Organizations must continuously
adapt to eliminate cost, ineciency, and errors while integrating security, productivity, and scalability into
their operations.
This session explores how businesses can move beyond legacy systems and manual processes to
embrace AI-driven automation, intelligent data workflows, and scalable digital solutions. As a hard trend, AI
is here to stay—just like email, the internet, and smartphones—and will redefine the way enterprises
operate.
Key takeaways include:
- Digital Transformation as an Ongoing Evolution – how to shift from static solutions to adaptable
- ecosystems
- AI as the Next Business Imperative – why AI isn’t a passing trend but the foundation of future
- innovation
- The Need to Move to Orchestrated Automation – why digital transformation strategies need to pivot
- away from hyperautomaiton
Learn how to stay ahead in the digital era by embracing transformation as a continuous, strategic
advantage rather than a one-time milestone.
Director, Product Solutions EMEA, Vasion
11:10am
MORNING TEA & NETWORKING
11:40am
PUBLIC SECTOR SPOTLIGHT:
Citizen Centric Service Delivery Through Digital Transformation
In an era where technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, the public sector faces mounting pressure to adapt and meet the evolving expectations of citizens.
In this discussion experts will explore:
- The growing demand for more efficient, accessible and personalised services
- Enhancing operational efficiencyÂ
- Delivering intuitive and responsive public services
- Budget management and rebuilding trust
Board Member and Technology Committee Chair, Health Service Executive
12:15pm
PANEL DISCUSSION
From Pilot to Scale: Critical Lessons for CIOs Navigating AI’s Next Phase…
With the adoption of AI comes challenges on how to choose the right tools for your business, manage costs, ensure ROI and do this in a secure and ethical manner. Agentic AI has become ready for business adoption but how will leaders maximise this opportunity.
A panel of AI trailblazers will discuss the challenges CIOs will face,including:
- Learnings from pilots and project failures
- How AI can solve key business problems
- How can we keep governance and trust at the core of AI strategy
- Is now the right time to invest in Agentic AI?
CIO, Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
1:00pm
PRESENTATION:
Establishing Strong Governance in Uncharted Territory
The rapid growth of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for organisations. In this panel, experts will discuss how CIOs and business leaders can create governance frameworks to manage the risks and responsibilities of AI technologies.
Key Discussion Points:
- Developing governance frameworks for AI
- Managing risks such as data privacy and ethical concerns
- Balancing innovation with control in a rapidly evolving space
Digital Realty
1:00pm
LUNCH & NETWORKING
2:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Equipping for Success Amid Transformation from AI, Cloud Native & Hybrid Cloud Trends
This session will explore how CIOs can navigate the changing landscape of AI, Cloud Native, and Hybrid Cloud technologies. We will cover key strategies to integrate these technologies, drive innovation, and ensure scalability, security, and efficiency.
Key Learnings:
- Strategies for integrating AI, Cloud Native, and Hybrid Cloud
- Future-proofing IT infrastructure for growth and security
- Leading transformation in a rapidly changing tech environment
- Best practices, challenges, and success stories
CTO, EasyGo
Digital Transformation Officer, Irish Defence Forces
Noesis
2:45pm
3:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
How CIOs and CISOs Can Use Storytelling to Engage and Protect the Business
This session explores how CIOs in large organisations can effectively communicate risks, strategies, and the threat of cyberattacks through the power of storytelling. Learn how compelling narratives can align teams, simplify complex concepts, and foster a culture of awareness and resilience across the business.
Key Discussion Points:
- Using storytelling to communicate cyber risks and strategies to all levels of the organisation
- Aligning IT and business strategies through clear and impactful communication
- Building a culture of collaboration, awareness, and proactive defence against cyber threats
- Engaging stakeholders with narratives that drive action and organisational change
CISO, Mater Private Network
EMEA Chief Information Security Officer & Innovation Lead, BNY
3:40pm