Transitioning From Tech Leader To Board Member

For a number of tech professionals, the transition from tech leader to board member, signifies more than a title upgrade. It represents the culmination of their professional career, and the chance to make a real impact on an organisation. It can be endlessly rewarding and open up exciting career and growth opportunities.

For CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and other tech leaders thinking about their next move, considering how to make the jump from tech leader to board member is an important and exciting step in their career journey.

How common is the move from tech leader to board member?

Latest statistics show that the number of UK board directors from a tech background rose from 17% in 2021 to 23% in 2024, which is 7% higher than the average European board of directors.

Moving from tech leader to board member is not a given, as traditionally, there were fewer opportunities for tech leaders as directors. However, boards are now recognising the vital impact the knowledge and experience tech leaders can bring to strategic operations. For example, this is seen in The FTSE 100, where 25% of board level executives have tech skills, and 20% have tech experience. These statistics indicate that many boards are not only prioritising bringing on directors with tech backgrounds, but also view having tech skills themselves as strategically important.

Why do companies need a board member with technical expertise?

Tech professionals offer significant value to boards of directors, through their knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Part of the reason that there is an increasing number of individuals moving from being tech leaders to board members, is that businesses are prioritising digital transformations and adopting new technologies as a strategic need.

As board members, tech leaders will have the responsibility of overseeing much of the technical strategy of the organisation. This can include the strategy behind:

• Migrating to the cloud
• Integrating AI integration
• Updating legacy systems
• Improving cyber security
• Managing big data

According to a study, digital competence is the second most desired skill for board members in 2024. Tech leaders, such as CIOs, CTOs and CDOs, have the opportunity to leverage this digital skill demand and create an attractive proposition for board membership.

Digital transformations are costly and come with risk. Without technical leaders as board members, who have the ability and knowledge to steer this change efficiently and effectively, businesses and organisations run the risk of making unsuitable decisions. This is where those in tech leadership can truly be of value on a board of directors.

Tech professionals are also attractive board members as they offer an alternative viewpoint and skills that the rest of the board may not have. Many tech leaders are mathematical, and results-driven. Board of directors need diversity of thought. Tech professionals can offer alternative perspectives that can help the board make better collective decisions.

Positioning for board membership

Board membership can open up many opportunities for tech professionals and can signify the culmination of a long successful career. However, understanding how to be appointed to a board position can seem confusing.

As board members must be chosen by the shareholders, with pay, compensation and incentives already agreed, it can be a long process. Recruitment to a board of directors often does not work like other roles, and great tech leaders may not be aware of how they can best position themselves for board membership.

Tech leader to board member tips

Suitable and relevant boards

For many tech leaders, it’s not always possible to join the board of directors in the same company they work in. Even if they currently hold high leadership positions, such as CIO, CTO, CDO, various reasons may limit their chances of joining the board of directors.

Those who are considering the route from tech leader to board member, might like to consider looking elsewhere for board experience. This could be with a smaller non-profit organisation that align with their interests, where a tech leader may work for a few hours in addition to their full-time job. Additionally, non-executive director (NED) roles, paid or pro-bono, can be a useful way to gain valuable board experience.

Doing so can give tech leaders crucial references and experiences that can help them secure board membership in organisations they are excited about being part of long-term.

Strategic skills

In order to secure a board member position, tech leaders will need to prove they recognise how technology can align with the organisation’s business plan, as well as the goals and strategic direction of the company.

Tech leaders should demonstrate, importantly, that they are strategists, not just technologists. In order to do this, tech leaders will need to explain how they will be able to drive business success through technology and how it will contribute to wider business strategies and growth.

Personal branding

For professionals considering tech leader to board member opportunities, personal branding is a great way to heighten their profiles over others. Tech leaders can gain better personal branding and further exposure through:

• Leading conversations and debates on social media and via podcasts / webinars
• Applying for industry awards
• Writing blogs and contributing to articles for relevant industry publications
• Speaking at events and seminars

These efforts can carry a lot of weight when a board is considering which hopeful is best placed in being appointed as a director of their organisation and adding value to the company.

Networking

Networking is vital for tech leaders who are trying to position themselves for a move from tech leader to board member.

Securing contacts with sitting directors and asking to pick their brains about how they became directors, and for advice on becoming a director, can help prepare professionals when they make the jump from tech leader to board member. These contacts could prove useful in helping raise a tech leader’s profile when they are seeking board membership.

VIQU is an award-winning IT recruitment agency with the expertise and knowledge to support you in securing your next IT role, or in hiring fantastic professionals for your team. Please get in touch with our team here.