Chief Information Officer

Company Description

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Reading

Highly Competitive Salary and Benefits

WSH are a family of independent hospitality brands founded on a simple principle of fresh, seasonal, local produce and an ethical supply chain. The business generated revenues in excess of £1.7bn across Northern Europe in 2025 and has ambitious plans to continue on its growth trajectory.

Following the imminent retirement of our IT Director, WSH are seeking an exceptional Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead our technology strategy across a multi-brand, decentralised organisation. As a key member of the WSH executive team, the CIO will shape the future of technology, data, digital transformation, and cybersecurity across the business while working collaboratively with the brand CEOs and Managing Directors to help drive their businesses forward.

This is not a traditional CIO role. Success will depend on your ability to influence the company leadership teams, balancing the benefits of group-wide technology standards with the entrepreneurial spirit and autonomy of individual brands. You will be a trusted advisor, strategic partner, and change leader who can translate technology into tangible commercial value.

Job Description

• Develop and deliver a technology and digital strategy that supports business growth, operational excellence, and long-term organisational goals.
• Build trusted relationships with the CEOs and Managing Directors and senior stakeholders across the group, establishing technology as a valued business partner rather than simply a centralised function.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives that create measurable commercial value across multiple brands and operating environments.
• Identify opportunities to leverage group scale through strategic procurement, vendor rationalisation, and technology investment while respecting brand-specific requirements.
• Lead the development of fit-for-purpose governance frameworks that provide appropriate oversight whilst enabling agility and local decision-making.
• Ensure robust cyber security, data protection, business continuity, and compliance controls are embedded across the organisation.
• Determine which technology platforms and systems should be standardised across the group and where flexibility is required to support brand-specific needs.
• Communicate technology risks, opportunities, and investment priorities in clear commercial terms that resonate with operational leaders.
• Sponsor and champion effective governance and decision-making forums, ensuring strategic technology decisions are made at the appropriate level.
• Oversee technology operations, infrastructure, systems, data, and vendor partnerships to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable service delivery.
• Monitor emerging technologies and industry trends, identifying opportunities to improve customer experience, operational effectiveness, and competitive advantage.
• Lead and inspire high-performing technology teams, creating a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience operating at CIO, IT Director, Digital Director, or equivalent executive leadership level.
• Demonstrable success leading technology functions within complex, decentralised, federated, or multi-business organisations.
• Outstanding ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority, building credibility through relationships, trust, and delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to align technology investments to business priorities, financial performance, and operational outcomes.
• Experience balancing enterprise-wide technology standards with the needs of autonomous business units.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate complex technology concepts in clear commercial language.
• A strong understanding of enterprise technology, cyber security, digital transformation, data management, cloud services, and governance.
• Proven ability to design pragmatic governance processes that minimise bureaucracy whilst managing risk effectively.
• Strong strategic thinking and portfolio management skills, with the ability to focus on long-term business value rather than individual project delivery.
• Experience leading technology transformation across multiple brands or business units with differing operational models.
• Understanding of AI, automation, advanced analytics, and emerging digital technologies.
• Relevant professional qualifications in Information Technology, Digital Transformation, Cyber Security, or Business Leadership.

Desirable

• Experience within hospitality, foodservice/contract catering, facilities management, retail, or other multi-site service-led organisations.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergen management systems, workforce scheduling, client data management, and operational technology environments an advantage
   

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape technology strategy across a dynamic portfolio of fast-growing businesses while working alongside entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about their businesses and care deeply about serving their customers.

You'll have the freedom to influence at the highest level, drive meaningful transformation, and create a technology function that enables growth, strengthens governance, and delivers real commercial impact. Success won't come from enforcing standards, but from building partnerships, demonstrating value, and helping each business achieve its ambitions through technology.

Reports to CFO.