Marie Banks is an accomplished technology leader with a passion for leveraging technology to add value and enhance user experiences. With a proven track record of success, Marie has a strong background in guiding organisations through strategic planning and implementation of innovative technological solutions. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep understanding of how technology can transform businesses and drive impactful outcomes. With a keen eye for identifying opportunities where technology can add value and improve overall user experiences Marie believes in the power of collaboration and teamwork, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within her teams. As an IT leader, Marie is dedicated to fostering a culture of learning and growth, both for her team and herself. She is also a passionate advocate for mental health and neurodiversity in business.
In an exclusive interview with the CIO Magazine, Marie shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion in tech, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Marie. How did you first become interested in technology and what propelled you into it?
I’ve always been passionate about change and improvement. The idea of making things work better and more efficiently has always fascinated me. I love connecting people, processes, and technology, and I’m particularly drawn to the art of the possible seeing how technology can transform and enhance the way we live and work. I found myself naturally drawn to the technology arena. My creative nature, combined with a passion for change, made it a perfect fit. Working in project and program management, I noticed a natural extension as these areas were increasingly enabled by technology. This realisation motivated me to embrace technology fully and sell the narrative of its transformative potential. Combine that with my starting career in commercial roles has been instrumental in this journey. It has enabled me to support a more value-driven approach, aligning technology initiatives with business goals. This shift has been crucial in evolving the technology function and its place within the business landscape. I discovered my place in this field and have never looked back.
What do you love the most about your current role?
What I love most about my current role is the opportunity to drive meaningful change and innovation through collaboration. Supporting a business in driving sustainable change and shaping its future is incredibly fulfilling. At Croda, our passion for innovation and entrepreneurial thinking makes it a brilliant place to bring technology to life.
Being at the junction of technology and business allows me to connect people, processes, and technology in ways that create real value. I thrive on the challenge of solving complex problems and seeing the tangible impact of our work. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the excitement and engagement from my colleagues as we work together to achieve our goals.
The dynamic nature of the technology landscape keeps me constantly learning and growing, which is something I truly value. Croda’s commitment to innovation and its entrepreneurial spirit provide the perfect environment for leveraging technology to drive progress and make a lasting impact.
How have you seen the role of the CIO change in the last 5-10 years, and what changes do you see on the horizon in the years ahead?
Over the past 5-10 years, the role of the CIO has evolved significantly. I used to be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable saying I didn’t have a traditional career pathway to CIO. However now it feels much more realistic that CIOs can come from all areas within a business.
One of the most interesting change I think has been the shift from a purely technical focus to a broader business leadership role. CIOs are now seen as leaders in shaping business strategy, driving competitive advantage, and enabling new business models through technology.
This evolution has meant that the pathway of CIO has opened up and more and more of my peers are coming from diverse pathways into the role which also broadens the diversity of thinking within our roles and really helps drive innovation.
Looking ahead, I think the role of the CIO will continue to transform. I expect and look forward to being able to return more value and support wider business strategy. As organisations become more digitally enabled, the CIO’s ability to lead and collaborate become even more important as the key ways to we can really transform a business will be underpinned with digital, data and technology.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
Wow that’s a tough question, but yes there are several. I’ve had some amazing mentors in my career, they pushed me to test boundaries, engaged me with amazing projects and opportunities to learn and grow. As my career grew and I worked in different organisational verticals and I have been fortunate to work with brilliant role models. People who have shared their leadership styles, fantastic frameworks for commercial success, attitude to delivery or bias for action. I am a magpie, taking the best of those elements and finding ways to incorporate them into how I work.
On a personal level though I had an amazing mum, I started my career pathway as a single parent, supported by a wonderful cheerleader, who encouraged and shaped the person I am. She gave me a sense of integrity, a can do attitude and a belief in myself that nothing was impossible. Seeing her work ethic to support both myself and my sister through some tough times drove my work ethic and still does today. She was the most amazing woman and I think she would be so proud of who I am and what I am achieving.
What does the term “authentic leadership” mean to you?
For me, authentic leadership is about being transparent, fair, and approachable. It’s about leading with integrity and honesty, ensuring that my actions align with my words. As a leader, my role is to architect ways forward, building a business and function that are prepared for the future.
For me it involves fostering an environment where my team feel valued and heard, creating a culture of trust and collaboration, where everyone is encouraged to contribute to the organisations success. By being genuine and open, I aim to inspire and motivate my team to achieve our collective goals and speak up if they need help. This really though is shaped by my pathway to CIO, I am not technical so I don’t always understand certain topics. I will role model saying, ‘I don’t understand, can you explain’. Its shows I am vulnerable to say if I don’t know but inquisitive to learn. I hope this way my team feel their knowledge is valuable but that also its good we raise each others knowledge and personal growth.
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in tech? How important is it to have authentic conversations with leaders, professionals, and changemakers to create more acceptance across the globe?
Diversity and inclusion in tech are incredibly important to me, both professionally and personally. I think that a diverse and inclusive function and leadership team fosters innovation, creativity, and better decision-making. It’s essential to have authentic conversations some of the most powerful changes comes from opening our minds up to different ways of doing things.
On a personal level, this is something I am very passionate about. My daughter is neurodiverse, and through her, I’ve learned the importance of better and clearer ways of communicating. This experience has deepened my commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.
I have a huge passion for mentoring and coaching, especially women in tech and my colleagues in the workplace. I’ve benefited immensely from some amazing mentors, and I want to encourage, shape, and support our leaders of the future. By fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Outside of work, I have a variety of passions that keep me busy. I love spending time with my family, especially engaging in activities that support my daughter’s interests and needs. Recently, I’ve rediscovered the joy of tandem reading, which has become a cherished hobby for both of us.
Traveling is another passion of mine, as it allows me to experience different cultures and cuisines. I have a particular fondness for wine and food, and I love sniffing out the most expensive cocktail in a city—it’s a quirky and enjoyable hobby!
Moreover, I am deeply committed to volunteering for charities such as Doncaster MIND and Parenting Mental Health. These causes are close to my heart, and I find great fulfilment in supporting mental health and making sure no one goes through this alone.
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
To prepare for the future, we are investing in several key technologies that we believe will drive innovation and growth. A primary focus is on data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) (D&A). D&A has the potential to transform various aspects of our business, from enhancing customer experiences to optimising operations and decision-making processes.
We are also investing in cloud computing, which provides the scalability and flexibility needed to support our digital transformation initiatives. Cloud solutions enable us to be more agile and responsive to changing market demands, while also improving our overall efficiency and give us the ability to shape ideas for the future.
Cybersecurity is another critical area of investment. As digital threats continue to evolve, it’s essential to protect our data and systems. By investing in advanced cybersecurity measures, we can ensure the safety and integrity of our operations.
Additionally, we will be exploring the potential of renewable technologies and sustainable practices. This aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility and helps us contribute to a more sustainable future.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
My biggest goal is to continue driving meaningful change and innovation within the technology space and for the organisations I work for. I aim to lead initiatives that not only enhance our operations but also create a positive impact on wider society. I am passionate about fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, and I want to ensure that our technology solutions are accessible and beneficial to all and really use my skills outside of my professional career to support those organisations and charities I am passionate about. Its my way of giving back for the fantastic career I’ve enjoyed.
In five years, I see myself in a leadership role where I can influence the strategic direction of a forward-thinking organisation like Croda. I hope to be at the forefront of technological advancements, learning and growing my knowledge on the future facing technologies that will shape our lives in the future. Additionally, I want to continue mentoring and coaching the next generation of leaders, helping them navigate their careers and achieve their full potential.
Ultimately, my vision is to be a catalyst for positive change, both within my company and in the broader community. I aspire to create an environment where innovation thrives, and where we can make a lasting change through the power of technology.
What advice would you give to aspiring technology leaders who aim to make a positive impact in their organizations and the industry as a whole?
Belief, it’s all about self-belief and learning. Be humble don’t be afraid to say you don’t know but find out. Grow your knowledge, grow your network, both will help you succeed. Surround yourself by people who raise your bar, make you think differently and actively support you to push boundaries. Most of all don’t settle for a job you don’t love; life is too short to be unhappy. Finally if you can, pay it back, find a way to support an organisation or people less fortunate than you or who would benefit from your skills and knowledge, it gives a great sense of purpose and allows a balance in life like no other.