Ing Yan Ong, Heineken’s Global CIO, has won the CIO of the Year Award 2024. He owes the prize to the broad-based transformation toward standardization and harmonization of the brewer’s digital landscape, in which he is one of the key pioneers. In addition to the CIO Award, the Tech Hero Award was presented to Mews, creator of a modern and easy-to-use software platform for the hotel industry.
“Transforming the business model of a company that operates in eighty countries, with a strong emphasis on being “local for local,” is a significant challenge. Achieving buy-in from the board and securing 1.3 billion to integrate all back offices into a single new platform, while also generating over 10 billion in new online revenues, is not only impressive for a CIO; it is world-class leadership,” said jury chairman Bernhard van Oranje.
Overall, the Global CIO of Heineken emerged as the best candidate from the selection process. This thorough process included a rating according to the Digital Acceleration Index (qualitative and quantitative research by BCG, The Boston Consulting Group), an intensive leadership assessment by Squadra, and an evaluation of the candidate’s role in the Dutch CIO community by the editors of CIO TV.
The twentieth CIO of the Year Award was presented at CIODAY2024 on Tuesday, Nov. 19. In addition to the winner, Ipek Ozsuer (dsm-firmenich) and Mario Suykerbuyk (TenneT) were nominated for the title. Like Ing Yan Ong, they were characterized by a strong focus on people and results. “Again this year, we see the trend continuing that technology leaders are making their mark on the organization in an increasingly broader sense,” said Rob Beijleveld, CEO of ICT Media and initiator of the CIO of the Year Award.
“The role of the CIO today is directly linked to transformation, with it becoming clear that a CIO needs to know and embrace digitalization in all its details,” said Beijleveld. “In doing so, good internal communication is essential to get all stakeholders on board. This is an ongoing process. A transformation is never complete, new innovations always force a CIO to change course.”
Ing Yan Ong is leading a transformation that harmonizes fragmented IT, streamlines operations, and drives digital growth. As global CIO, he has built credibility within the organization and managed to align business and IT goals. “Ing Yan demonstrates strong accountability and dedication at a detailed level while leveraging his personal relationships to align the business and C-suite with the organization’s digital goals. He builds on the trust he has built in the organization while leading the largest transformation the company has ever made,” said BCG’s Berry Diepeveen, a jury member.
About the CIO of the Year Award
The CIO of the Year Award followed a rigorous and objective process, awarding the prize to the candidate who scored highest on performance delivered and how he or she fulfilled his or her role and function. That one winner was ultimately chosen in no way implies a negative assessment of the other nominees. They were all podium-worthy candidates.
In the assessment by BCG and Squadra, things like performance, perception by the business, and personal competencies counted. The concluding jury meeting in Hotel Arena in Amsterdam, where all nominees were present, was the final validation of the selection process.
The core jury was formed this year by Martijn Koning, chairman CIO Platform Netherlands and CDO at AutoBinck, Berry Diepeveen, Senior Partner & Managing Director at BCG, Tjibbe van der Zeeuw, co-founder of Squadra and Rob Beijleveld, CEO of ICT Media. Bernhard van Oranje, founder of Levi9, is chairman of the jury. New to the party was Rob Visser, CIO at NN and CIO of the Year 2022, who will make way for the 2025 election for the 2023 winner, Aart Rupert (CIO of Damen).
Mews wins Tech Hero Award
In addition to the presentation of the CIO of the Year Award, the Tech Hero Award was presented yesterday. Matthijs Welle, CEO of Mews, accepted the award. His company owes the award to its innovative, user-friendly, and scalable service platform for the hotel and event industry.
In addition to Mews, ASML, a maker of lithographic machines for the semiconductor industry, and Nearfield Instruments, which manufactures metrology solutions for that same industry, were also nominated for the award, which was presented for the second time this year.
Parties eligible for the Tech Hero Award have built their business around their digital core. They are designed to adapt to the latest developments. They are designed to adapt to the latest developments. “We benchmark organizations in terms of fundamental technological capabilities,” the judges said. “Companies must prove that they can make fundamental changes and renew themselves operationally and in terms of business if necessary.” The Tech Hero Award highlights companies that inspire other organizations, industries, and society as a whole. “Companies from which we can all learn something,” the jury stated.
Selection process
Overall, Mews emerged as the best candidate from the selection process, which was based in part on BCG’s Digital Acceleration Index. There were also personal interviews, short pitches, and a discussion with all candidates and judges.
The Tech Hero Award jury consisted of Bernhard van Oranje, Martijn Koning, Nick Smaling, and Rob Beijleveld. New to the party was Jeroen van Glabbeek, CEO of CM.com, winner of the 2023 Tech Hero Award, who will make way for the 2024 election: Matthijs Welle, CEO of Mews.