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Part 1: What Does Piccadilly One's Survey Reveal About Reporting Lines for CIOs in Organisations?

Writer's picture: Simon ElkinsonSimon Elkinson

During Q3 of 2024, Piccadilly One conducted a survey where we asked for feedback on the reporting lines of CIOs based in the UK. Over the coming weeks our Director, Simon Elkinson dissects the findings. Here is Part 1 of the series.

CIO Reporting Lines

In the dynamic landscape of organisational structures, the importance of reporting relationships cannot be emphasised enough, especially for those holding the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). Our recent survey has shed light on the reporting lines within organisations, offering valuable insights into where CIOs stand in the hierarchy.


What We Asked

Have you ever reported to a CFO?

Who do you report to now?

What are the PROS of reporting to a CFO?

What are the CONS of reporting to a CFO?

What are the PROS of reporting to a CEO?

What are the CONS of reporting to a CEO?

Have you ever been on The Board?

Should the CIO be on The Board?

Would you move to a new role that reports to a CFO?

Anything else you'd like to add?


Understanding the Numbers

The survey revealed that a significant majority of respondents, a whopping 76%, have reported directly to a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This statistic underscores the centrality of financial oversight in the realm of business operations. Conversely, 24% of respondents indicated that they have not reported to a CFO, signalling a diverse range of reporting relationships among professionals.


Current Reporting Relationships

Taking a closer look at the current reporting lines, the data uncovered an intriguing distribution of roles that CIOs report to within organisations. Unsurprisingly, the most common reporting relationship for CIOs was found to be with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with 39% of CIOs directly reporting to this top leadership position. Following closely behind were reporting lines to CFOs and Group Chief Information Officers (CIOs), each accounting for 17% of the respondents.


Diverse Reporting Structures

Diving deeper into the data, it becomes evident that CIOs report to a variety of senior leadership roles, reflecting the diverse organisational structures prevalent in today's corporate world. From the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to roles such as the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) and Deputy CEO, the reporting lines are dispersed among different high-level executives.


The statistics show that CIOs, being technology leaders, play essential roles in organisations where they are entrusted with reporting duties to not only financial heads but also across various other functions. This multi-faceted reporting landscape highlights the cross-functional nature of the CIO role and its significance in steering the organisation towards technological advancement and success.


The Relevance for CIOs

Understanding the prevailing reporting lines offers CIOs a glimpse into the organisational dynamics and structures. It emphasises the importance of building strong relationships not only within the IT department but also with other key functions like finance, operations, and strategy.


Conclusion

In conclusion, the survey has unravelled intriguing findings about the reporting lines for CIOs within organisations. The statistics underscore the pivotal role of CIOs in the modern business environment, bridging the gap between technology and various other functions. As the technological landscape evolves rapidly, CIOs must navigate the complex web of reporting relationships to drive innovation and growth effectively.


Piccadilly One helps organisations hire CIOs. We Put People Above Technology placing the number one technology position within an organisation and that person's direct reports.


To discuss your next CIO hire or, if you're a CIO, your next direct report hire, contact our Director and Founder Simon Elkinson 

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