The leaders turning ambition into action
In a period of rapid change for the tech industry, recognising the people keeping it all together is more important than ever.
IT is no longer a back-office function, and every organisation claims technology is central to its future. But words are easy; turning them into action is the difficult part.
Computing’s IT Leaders 100 recognises the people taking charge of that shift: the CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and other senior technology figures turning boardroom ambition into operational reality.
In a year defined by AI pressure, cloud complexity, cyber risk and constant demands to do more with less, these are the leaders keeping UK organisations moving, and it is our honour and privilege to highlight their important work.
The IT Leaders 100 is our assessment of the leading figures in the UK tech space, developed and released in collaboration with our expert, independent steering committee.
Click here to view the 2026 edition of the IT Leaders 100
These are the people displaying true innovation and inspiration in their roles – leading their colleagues, teams and organisations into the future without fear.
In the following pages you’ll find CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, CISOs, directors, heads and other leading figures from every industry and sector: finance, academia, healthcare, retail, telecoms, energy and government, to name just a few.
Despite the differences, though, there are shared threads. For example, many of our top 100 this year are particularly excited by the evolution of tech from support function to business enabler, and tech’s proven ability to create real world impact.
Many of this year’s leaders are looking at sweeping system, vendor and tool consolidation, perhaps prompted by AI’s need for cohesive data. Rationalising cloud and legacy systems while simplifying processes were also common goals.
And there were shared themes away from the strictly professional side. Smartwatches and noise-cancelling headphones were far and away the most popular bits of kit people owned (although hats off to the one person who suggested a pen). As for keyboard shortcuts, Ctrl+Z (Undo) and Ctrl+Shift+T (reopen closed tab) were firm favourites, suggesting that even the UK’s top techies value a quick recovery.
And as for hidden talents? You’ll have to read on – but weightlifting, surfing, pizza-making and welding are just a few of the skills the nation’s leaders are keeping off of LinkedIn.
Tom Allen, Editor of Computing, said, “Every individual in our Top 100 IT Leaders should be extremely proud of themselves – they put in the work and have been recognised as the best as a result.
“These people are doing far more than day-to-day leadership; their work is key to making sure tech is recognised as a real force for good – in their organisations, their sectors, and society as a whole.”
Click here to see the list of the UK’s most influential tech leaders in 2026.
Are you, or do you know, an outstanding woman or young technologist working in IT? Put yourself (or them) forward for Computing’s Tech Women Celebration 50 now, or our Rising Stars 30 when we open nominations next month.
Leave a comment