as well as bringing together all the existing IT functions at Three UK under one management team made up of 130 employees . Seeing that the transformation programme she inherited was hobbled by a continuing schism between IT and the business , Finch elected to forge a new path for Three ’ s digital transformation programme . She has spent the past year and a half bringing the company ’ s technology functions firmly in line with the telco ’ s business objectives .

“ We restructured our transformation programme , and moved completely away from a technology-based transformation and moved towards a digital , business transformation programme ,” Finch explains . This unity involves more than simply pushing IT departments towards a more business-focused model . “ You can ’ t run a successful business without technology , and everyone needs to become much more tech-savvy .”

The future Finch envisions is “ a team of multi-skilled individuals who not only understand the business , but also the technology .”

When executing this sweeping change of attitude and approach , Finch maintains that “ As a leader in technology in this day and age it is massively important to be collaborative and work closely with all areas of the business , to empower your teams to do the right

thing to get things done and above all trust . I honestly believe if you trust and respect and communicate openly and authentically to your team you have a fabulous winning combination that will succeed no matter what .”

The confidence to enact sweeping IT reform that touches every aspect of a major telecom operator stems from Finch ’ s 20 year-plus career throughout the technology sector , with an emphasis on telecommunications .

Finch has brought the benefits of multiple executive roles at industryleading firms to her position at Three , including working as a consultant for KPMG , a senior manager at Accenture , several project leadership and digital transformation roles at Vodafone , and most recently a yearand-a-half stint as

CIO of UK energy firm Centrica .

She is also a vocal advocate for women in the technology and telecom sector . Women are vital in the technology sector and I encourage everyone to have the confidence that your leader will trust that you can absolutely do the job ,” she says . “ This is especially important for maternity returners . Whether it ' s been 6 months or 10 years , trust that your leader has your back and trusts you in return . It ' s amazing to see these women fly in their careers when this happens and I have had many many examples . of this in my team who I am so very proud of .” mobile-magazine . com 21