CIONET

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews, Gunter Van Craen, CDIO at Bekaert, the nominee in the Applications & Architecture category during the #CIONETAwards2026 . Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! A highly accomplished C-level executive, Gunter has built a distinguished international career leading complex, high-stakes digital transformations. With senior leadership roles across Manufacturing & Distribution, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, and Banking, he has repeatedly delivered measurable business value in environments marked by turnarounds, growth acceleration, and greenfield innovation. During the interview Gunter talks about Bekaert's five-year digital transformation, evolving from basic IT to a modern architecture focused on business outcomes and customer engagement. The company modernises its manufacturing systems across 75 factories, enhancing efficiency and data-driven decision-making. The transformation includes integrating AI, data architecture, and cybersecurity while fostering a culture of collaboration. Key insights emphasise trust, knowledge management, and the changing role of CIOs in navigating new market

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews, Raul Jimenez, Head of Data, AI & Integration Platforms at Sika, the nominee in the Data & AI category during the #CIONETAwards2026. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Raul’s CV is seriously impressive, boasting over two decades of international experience. He's been at the helm, steering digital transformation, innovation, and technology strategy across a wide range of industries globally. From being knee-deep in software engineering to project leadership and executive advising, he’s seen the whole picture. Crucially, he’s recognised for building and successfully scaling complex enterprise platforms. His focus is spot on: embracing federated models, leveraging emerging technologies, and, most importantly, making sure everything is tightly aligned with the business strategy. Raul doesn't just manage technology; he cleverly bridges technical expertise with strategic vision, turning big, innovative ideas into real, lasting organisational impact. Sika transforms its data and AI governance by centralising initiatives and establishing core platforms for data, AI, and integration. The organisation addresses connectivity issues, builds a data platform, and implements an AI governance framework. It shifts from project-based to product-based management, focusing on foundational data and processes. The future vision includes a cognitive enterprise system that leverages AI across all functions, ensuring competitiveness in the digital landscape.

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews, Carla Milovanov, the Group CIO at Landal, the nominee in the Applications & Architecture category during the #CIONETAwards2026 powered by Splunk. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Carla Milovanov shares her experiences in integrating two holiday park brands. She discusses the challenges of cultural integration, the need for a unified architecture, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experience. The conversation covers the importance of governance, stakeholder management, and strategic decision-making in managing large-scale transformations, while also addressing the impact of digital transformation and AI in the hospitality industry. Don’t miss the panel where Carla will share her accomplishments!

Watch the newest episode of the CIONET Podcast, where Claudio Balbo, Senior Director and Head of IT Architecture at Intesa Sanpaolo, discusses one of the most ambitious core banking transformations in Europe. Claudio is a Nominee in the Applications & Architecture category and a speaker at CIONET Awards: Part 1 on 9 December 2025 at 15:00 CET. Save your seat now to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1 In this episode, Claudio shares his journey in tech and his pivotal role in designing and implementing isytech – a cloud-native core banking platform that is revolutionizing the way Intesa Sanpaolo operates. Watch the full episode to find out more about: 🔹 Cloud-Native Core Banking: The strategic shift from legacy systems to modern, scalable cloud solutions. 🔹 AI Adoption: How AI is becoming a critical part of the transformation, driving productivity and enhancing system capabilities. 🔹 Leadership in Large-Scale Digital Transformations: Insights on leading teams, managing change, and balancing innovation with feasibility. 🔹 Building the IT Future: How the bank is future-proofing its infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability. Claudio emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, team empowerment, and consistency in execution to successfully navigate digital transformations. Secure your spot to discover who will win the CIONET Awards 2026 — and hear from Claudio and other Europe’s top digital leaders at CIONET Awards Part 1, powered by our partner Splunk 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Angélique Bidault-Verliac, the Chief Data & Performance Officer at SNCF Connect & Tech, the nominee in the Data & AI category during the #CIONETAwards2026. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Angélique is the force behind the evolution of SNCF Connect & Tech from its strong digital foundation to becoming a data-driven and AI-augmented organisation. This transformation powers the SNCF Connect platform, which is used daily by millions of people in France. Angélique's work spans critical areas including customer data, performance management, and AI innovation, driving significant business impact. Angélique shares her career journey, which is rooted in a core conviction: data must be used to solve an issue or fix something important, not collected merely for pleasure5. This problem-solving approach is central to her belief that data should help people make better decisions. The conversation spotlights two major, impact-driven applications her team delivered: - My Retrainspective: This initiative, which began as an internal hackathon, provided customers with a "year-in-journey" retrospective. It compared the kilometres travelled by train to the CO2 emissions saved versus driving. The result was phenomenal, with over 5.6 million visits in one day, showcasing its high customer engagement and reputational return. - The Full Train Alert: Developed to address customer frustration over full trains, this feature allows users to subscribe to an alert for when a seat becomes available. The project was a great success, boosting client satisfaction, with one in two subscribers later booking a train. - She concludes by identifying the next big challenge as moving from mass segmentation to true one-to-one personalisation using AI, a goal that places even higher demands on data quality. She also stresses the ongoing need to challenge and test the output of AI tools to ensure accuracy and responsibility. Don't miss this inspiring talk about driving transformative change in the heart of French mobility!

In this episode, Hendrik Deckers sits down with Rajat Dhawan, Group Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Soho House, who is a nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 in the Data & AI category. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Together, they explore how Soho House - one of the world’s most iconic hospitality brands - transformed into a data-driven, AI-powered global leader — without losing its uniquely human, high-touch identity. Over his six-year journey, Rajat has led a wholesale cultural, digital, and technological transformation, modernising over 300 legacy systems, building a world-class data and AI capability, and reshaping how Soho House understands, engages, and serves its 200,000+ members worldwide. Don’t forget to join the online Awards Ceremony that we’re organising together with our partner - Splunk - where Rajat will talk more about this impressive journey https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1!

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Hanna Huber, CTO of Flix Tech, who is a nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 (Applications & Architecture). Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Hanna Huber, CTO of Flix Tech, shares her career journey and the transformation at Flix, which operates in 44 countries. She discusses the need for a new tech operating model to support business growth and the importance of managing tech costs. Hannah emphasizes collaboration with tech teams and business units, the value of visual communication, and the significance of understanding complexities in leadership. She also identifies future challenges and offers advice for leaders. Don’t miss the panel where Hanna will share her accomplishments: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1!

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Giuseppe Ficara, Senior Director and Global Head of Data and AI at Amplifon in Milano, Italy, the nominee in the Data & AI category. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Giuseppe is leading a transformative data and AI initiative at Amplifon, a global leader in hearing care with over 20,000 employees. Giuseppe shares the story of how Amplifon moved past foundational data challenges following a complex cloud migration to spearhead a critical AI-driven phase of data governance. The company faced a deficit in internal knowledge after integrating 16 different data platforms over four years. He explains that the transformation was essential to transition Amplifon from a reactive to a proactive data governance model. Giuseppe emphasises the dramatic results of their AI-first approach, including a 90% reduction in the effort and cost of the data governance program by leveraging AI for the 'back office' definition work and asking human stakeholders only to review the output. Their efforts also led to a 15% reduction in cloud spending for the data ecosystem by optimizing data pipelines. Throughout the conversation, Giuseppe reveals how Amplifon prioritised the engagement of the final stakeholder to successfully build the new capability. He discusses the three core objectives: reducing technical debt, internalising knowledge, and changing the data governance approach. He further explains how setting up the AI ​​platform and architecture has created a long-term capability for scaling AI responsibly in compliance with regulations like the AI ​​Act. Don’t miss the panel where Giuseppe will share more about his AI journey, powered by our trusted partner, Splunk 👉  https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1!

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Jesús Oliva, Head of Data & AI at Moeve, who is a nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 in the Data & AI category. Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Jesús shares the story of how he took Moeve from foundational data challenges to leading the way in industrial AI implementation, delivering tens of millions in value. He emphasizes the importance of value over volume in AI projects and shares how his team proved that AI could drive tangible business results, including a 300% ROI from their first pilot. Throughout the conversation, Jesús reveals how Moeve prioritized data democratization and AI accessibility to create a data-driven culture across the organization. He discusses the three pillars that guided the transformation: building robust data foundations, democratizing data access, and demonstrating tangible business value through AI. Jesús also dives into the modular approach that underpins Moeve’s AI strategy, stressing how modularity in AI development ensures scalability and sustainability across projects. He further explains how Moeve’s responsible AI practices, coupled with their AI governance framework, have ensured the company’s AI initiatives are ethical and effective at scale. Don’t miss the panel where Jesús will share more about his AI journey, powered by our trusted partner, Splunk 👉 https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1!

In this episode of the CIONET Podcast, Hendrik Deckers interviews Radosław Maćkiewicz, CEO of COI – Polish Centre for Information Technology, who is a nominee for the CIONET Awards 2026 (Applications & Architecture). Register here to find out who wins this prestigious title: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! Radosław unpacks Poland’s public-sector digital transformation—most visibly mObywatel (mCitizen), the national digital wallet and reflects on how COI: - Reorganized ~700 engineers into 46 cross-functional product teams - Shifted decisively to Agile with clear KPIs and product ownership - Elevated delivery quality using DORA metrics (and dramatically improved time to restore) - Boosted NPS from ~20 to 47 and raised app store ratings via continuous citizen feedback - Built API-first platforms and a reusable design system aligned with eIDAS 2.0 - Drove adoption to ~11M mObywatel users with an ambition of 20M by 2035 Beyond tech, Radosław highlights the human side: emotional engagement, trust, and empowerment as the foundation for change—plus the importance of investing in the Product Owner role to keep ministries, market feedback, roadmaps, and support aligned. Don’t miss the panel where Radosław will share his accomplishments: https://www.cionet.com/events/cionet-awards-2026-part-1! #CIONET #CIONETAwards #CIONETAwards2026 #DigitalLeadership #CIO #CDO #CTO #CXO #Data #AI #Applications #Architecture #CIOCommunity

This February, CIONET hosted CIONEXT | Mastering Complexity, powered by Hitachi Vantara. We’re thrilled to present a new episode of our #LeadershipDeepDive series, featuring Kalman Tiboldi, CTO and Founder at GemOne–TVH. In this insightful conversation, Hendrik Deckers explores why mastering technological complexity is essential to future-proofing businesses. Kalman shares how TVH is transitioning away from legacy systems toward a capability-based architecture, built on a composite model that focuses internal development on core differentiating systems. He emphasizes the importance of simplification—untangling legacy “spaghetti” architectures and removing unnecessary layers. Data, he says, must be treated as a strategic asset: governed centrally and managed via data fabric and virtualization to ensure AI readiness without duplicating datasets. On the infrastructure side, TVH is executing a cloud-first strategy, gradually moving toward full cloud adoption while currently operating in a hybrid environment. For Kalman, AI is not the destination, but a tool—used to improve decision-making, boost productivity, and turn static manuals into intelligent knowledge sources. Looking ahead, he envisions AI agents automating business logic and enabling autonomous enterprises, while preserving the unique role of human intuition. Curious to learn more? Watch the full interview now!

#CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership? is around the corner! Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with Sharon Prior who will be our panellist on April 3rd at 15:00 CET. Don’t forget to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Sharon how today’s CIOs must act as strategic business enablers rather than just technical experts. The traditional IT silo has given way to "fusion teams" — cross-functional groups where IT and business co-create solutions. Sharon highlights that the modern CIO must prioritize business outcomes, such as revenue growth and customer experience, over technology itself. She advocates for enterprise architecture and long-term roadmapping as essential foundations for agile and continuous delivery. A strong proponent of data governance, Sharon warns against fragmented data ownership and insists that business functions—not IT—must be accountable for the quality and clarity of their own data. Sharon also underscores the importance of education and governance in the AI era. She encourages building AI governance boards and setting clear guardrails to empower business users while maintaining control. What skills are essential for modern IT leaders? How can IT leaders balance long-term strategy with agile delivery in a fast-paced tech landscape? Watch the full interview to find out!

Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with José Antonio López - Group CIO at TOUS - who will be our panellist at CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership on the 3rd of April! It’s high time to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21 and join us for the discussion on three key shifts that are driving the transformation of IT and CIO’s roles in an organisation: 1️⃣ Democratisation 2️⃣ IT as strategic partner 3️⃣ Human-centricity In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with José Antonio López, Group CIO of TOUS, how the role of IT leadership is evolving in a fast-paced, digital-first world. They explore the CIO’s shift from operational control to strategic business enablement, the company’s digital transformation journey, and how technologies like AI, cloud, and data are driving innovation at TOUS. José also shares his personal leadership style, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring tech leaders.

CIONEXT is just around the corner! Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get to know one of our panellists – Tom Tanghe, General Manager ITC EMEA at Daikin Europe – and watch his full #LeadershipDeepDive interview. Have you already registered to join us on April 3rd at 15:00 CET? Now’s the time 👉 www.cionext.com/21! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Tom how IT is becoming a core business enabler rather than just a support function, and shares his practical and business-focused vision: creating value, staying close to the field, and avoiding rigid long-term plans. Tom stresses the need for IT leaders to understand the business deeply, and for business leaders to become more tech-literate. Looking ahead, he sees CIOs needing to balance long-term strategic roadmaps with agile responsiveness to user feedback and shifting priorities - what he calls operating at "two speeds." The CIO role, in his view, is increasingly about orchestrating this collaboration, enabling innovation, and ensuring that technology serves both operational excellence and business transformation. Curious about the tech aspects? Watch the full interview to find out about predictive sales tools and the 23 initiatives that harness the power of AI, the status of cloud adoption, and why low-code/no-code is addressed with a healthy dose of skepticism at Daikin!

Are you ready for CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership? Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with Aaron Stafford - Group Senior Director of Global Security, Cloud Infrastructure & ERP Operations at ASICS Technology - who will be our panellist on April 3rd at 15:00 CET. Don’t forget to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21! In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with Aaron how ASICS is much more than a sportswear brand - it’s a fully digital company at the forefront of innovation. Aaron emphasizes that digital leadership has fundamentally evolved from being a back-office function to a strategic business driver. He argues that IT is no longer just a support function but an integral part of the core business strategy, especially in a company like ASICS, where technology enables everything from product design and manufacturing to sales and customer engagement. That’s why Digital Leaders must think like CEOs more than ever - understanding business strategy, customer needs, and industry dynamics. How can IT empower the business by providing safe, flexible environments where teams can experiment, innovate, and iterate? Is it possible to democratize access to data while maintaining strict security standards? Watch the full interview to find out!

Watch the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with John Walsh - VP & CTO at Fujitsu - who will be our panellist at CIONEXT | The End of IT Leadership on the 3rd of April! It’s high time to register 👉 www.cionext.com/21 and join us for the discussion on three key shifts that are driving the transformation of IT and CIO’s roles in an organisation: 1️⃣ Democratisation 2️⃣ IT as strategic partner 3️⃣ Human-centricity In this episode, Hendrik Deckers discusses with John Walsh why the CIO role is more critical than ever, how AI is evolving at lightning speed, and why shorter, results-driven IT projects are replacing long-term contracts. John shared insights on Fujitsu’s groundbreaking work in Quantum Computing and Social Digital Twins - a technology that could revolutionize smart cities and transport systems! Is it possible to stay ahead of rapid AI innovations? How is technology shaping the future of IT leadership? Watch the full interview to find out!

This February, CIONET hosted CIONEXT | Mastering Complexity, powered by Hitachi Vantara. We're excited to share with you a new episode of our #LeadershipDeepDive series, featuring Isabelle Droll, CIO for Airline, Corporate, Hotels & Resorts, and Sustainability at TUI. Isabelle collaborated with us on this program together with André Exner. In this insightful interview, Isabelle delves into TUI’s digital transformation journey within the highly complex travel and tourism industry. She explains how TUI is working to unify fragmented systems across markets into a single, global platform designed to deliver seamless and personalized customer experiences. Together with Hendrik Deckers, Isabelle explores the strategic role of data integration, cloud migration, and AI-driven personalization in navigating complexity and boosting operational efficiency. From predictive maintenance and route optimization to dynamic packaging, TUI’s key initiatives are deeply rooted in strong collaboration between IT and the business. Isabelle also emphasizes the evolving role of IT—from cost control to value creation—highlighting the importance of trusted supplier partnerships, nearshore development hubs, and internal AI upskilling programs. Curious to learn more? Watch the full interview now!

Listen to the full #LeadershipDeepDive interview with Jay Subramanian, GM of Core Storage Platforms at Hitachi Vantara, who will be our panellist at CIONEXT | Mastering Complexity on the 19th of February! It’s high time to register 👉 www.cionext.com/20 and join us for the discussion on: ✔️ The Future of Mission-Critical Apps (and why it starts with the data) ✔️ The Power of Super Adaptability (diving into scalable data platforms) ✔️ Balancing Security and Rapid Innovation (how platforms bring the best of all worlds) In this episode, Hendrik Deckers speaks with Jay Subramanian about fostering innovation and tackling key IT challenges, including hybrid cloud environments, diverse applications, and distributed workforces in an era of exponential data growth. Jay emphasizes that while hybrid cloud enhances flexibility, it demands realistic planning, clear objectives, and a strategic approach to cost and risk management. He highlights the critical role of infrastructure consolidation and resource optimization, advocating for right-sizing and flexible "as-a-service" models in environments where data volume volatility is inevitable. How can organizations optimize resources and manage costs while maintaining flexibility in data management? Do regulations like DORA and US DoD standards enhance security, or do they hinder growth? Listen to the full interview to find out!

In the newest episode of CIONET’s #LeadershipDeepDive interview, Steven Huels, VP & GM of AI Business, Product, and Strategy at Red Hat, explores the recent technological advancements in the realm of AI. Red Hat, recognized for its robust enterprise solutions, emphasizes open-source principles and platforms, which have been pivotal in virtualization and containerization. Steven highlights AI's transformative impact on businesses, stressing that it has evolved from a futuristic concept to an essential element of current business strategies. Currently at Red Hat, the AI strategy involves creating a composable platform that seamlessly integrates AI tools and models, supporting varied use cases from training to deployment. Hendrik discusses with Steven the advancements in AI accessibility, efficiency, and integration today, and in the future where AI models are more consumable and seamlessly embedded in business applications. Curious to know more? Don’t miss this inspiring conversation and watch the full interview now! #DigitalLeadership #CIO #CXO #CTO #CIONET #innovation #technology #data #cloud #AI #OpenSource #RedHat

Lisa Spelman - Corporate VP and GM of Intel Products & Solutions at Intel will be our guest speaker at CIOFEST on the 21st of March! If you're a CIONET Member or would like to become one, make sure you register to CIOFEST in your country here: https://www.cionet.com/events/ciofest CIOFEST will also mark the launch of the CIOFEST Cookbook No. 3, where Lisa shares her recipe for digital success. Don’t forget to pre-order your copy here: https://www.cionet.com/cookbook3 and stay on top of what is relevant for top CIOs! In this #LeadershipDeepDive Hendrik Deckers discussed with Lisa Intel's role in providing computing solutions across various platforms, emphasising the company's transition from a hardware focus to integrating software and manufacturing. They talked about the importance of AI development, its ethical usage, and democratisation. She addressed the challenges faced by many industries due to rapid digitisation and the evolving role of IT and CIOs in businesses as well as Intel's commitment to sustainability, security, and future technological advancements, particularly in AI and data centre innovations. Curious to know more? Make sure you watch the full interview! #CIONET #CIOcommunity #CIO #CXO #CDO #CTO #DigitalLeadership #Cloud #Multicloud #Hybridcloud #Innovation #AI #RedHat #Intel