Rebecca Fox is the Group CIO at NCC Group plc, a global leader in cyber and software resilience. With a strong commercial focus and a passion for technology, she drives impactful change through innovation, data, and strategic leadership. Her career, inspired by early experiences in coding and software development, is defined by a results-driven approach to enabling businesses to thrive. A champion of diversity and inclusion, Rebecca advocates for balanced and inclusive cultures in the tech industry. Her leadership blends authenticity, ambition, and a commitment to aligning technology with business success in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
In an exclusive interview with the CIO Magazine, Rebecca shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion in tech, her favorite quotes, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Rebecca. How did you first become interested in technology and what propelled you into it?
I love answering this question because it all started with my dad. He was a Computer Science teacher and later a university lecturer in the field. This was in the 1980s, a time when technology was a fraction of what it is today. I started coding at the age of eight, and as an introverted child, it was an outlet that suited me perfectly. Later, my dad and I developed EPOS software for local businesses, which not only honed my early technical skills but also helped me develop commercial acumen and gain confidence.
What do you love the most about your current role?
The people. It’s always the people. Leadership is fundamentally about people—if you don’t like working with others, you shouldn’t step into a leadership role.
Beyond that, I love being in a position to drive impactful change by bringing together people, technology, and data to enable brilliant businesses to thrive.
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?
The pace of change in the CIO role has outpaced nearly every other leadership position over the last few decades—and that won’t slow down anytime soon. When I started in IT, an organization with 600 people might have had five PCs. Now, there’s more technology than people, and this exponential growth is accelerating.
AI is poised to revolutionize the technology landscape—not just generative AI, but business intelligence and automation as well. These tools will reshape how organizations operate.
The CIO role has been moving closer to the business for years, and that trend will continue. However, with the rise of SaaS platforms and accessible technology, the CIO’s legitimacy could be challenged if they’re not fully aligned with the business. Businesses can bypass IT altogether to implement solutions, but this creates risks around security, integration, and strategic alignment. In the future, making the wrong technology decisions—or not making them quickly enough—will have even greater consequences, potentially leading to business failure.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
I’m deeply grateful to my dad for sparking my interest in technology and to my first boss, who trusted me to take ownership of projects and learn through experience. Those early mistakes were invaluable lessons in my technical career.
I’m also grateful to the less effective managers I’ve had along the way. They taught me how not to lead and underscored the importance of learning from others’ mistakes. Complaining about your boss or team is a wasted opportunity—those challenges can become powerful learning experiences if you approach them with the right mindset.
What does the term “authentic leadership” mean to you?
Authentic leadership is about bringing your true self to work—but that doesn’t mean offloading personal challenges onto your team. As a leader, you need to show up with energy and focus, even when things aren’t perfect in your personal life.
It’s also about being honest about your weaknesses and showing vulnerability, while demonstrating what hard work, resilience, and commitment look like. Your team will mirror your actions, so you must be a role model in every aspect—showing integrity, authenticity, and dedication.
You team and peers will mirror your actions – bring your whole self to work, be your truth – but never forget that you also need to be a role model is every aspect.
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?
The biggest challenge isn’t attracting women to STEM roles—it’s retaining them. While the number of women in tech is increasing, it’s still far from achieving the balance needed for a healthy and inclusive culture.
In tough economic climates, diversity and inclusion efforts can take a backseat. But to drive meaningful change, we need ongoing investment in initiatives like targeted apprenticeship programs, school outreach, and mentoring. It’s also crucial to create supportive environments where people want to stay and thrive in their roles.
Being a role model is vital—and it’s something everyone can do, regardless of their position. True role modelling isn’t just about who you are; it’s about how you treat others, the decisions you make, and the actions you take.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
I’m passionate about tech in the community and love projects that intersect technology with LGBT+ advocacy. I’m involved in Queer in Tech, a Manchester-based group that brings together diverse people to discuss technology and share knowledge. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people connecting and learning in this way.
Outside of that, my partner and I have a little Jack Russell named Scrappy, who keeps us busy with walks and cuddles.
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
AI is the big one—but the challenge is deciding which aspect of AI will have the most significant impact. It’s tempting to spread your resources thin across multiple areas, but staying agile and ready to pivot is key.
Every vendor is promoting their AI solutions, but not all are truly innovative. AI is evolving rapidly, and it’s essential to start using it, even in small ways. For example, I’ve used AI to review and refine these responses!
AI will transform industries at different rates. Just as e-commerce disrupted the high street, I think AI will most quickly impact the service industry, especially in our post-COVID, hybrid-working world.
That said, we also need to invest in people. AI will require new skills, mindsets, and trust in systems that don’t follow traditional logic. Building those capabilities is just as important as investing in the technology itself.
What are your favorite quotes?
I have three favourites that resonate at different points in my life:
“To laugh often and much.” Often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, this grounds me when I feel off track.
“Stop shrinking to fit places you’ve outgrown.” This aligns with my values of growth, ambition, and integrity and reminds me to keep moving forward.
“Teach our daughters to be somebodies, not somebody’s.” I once saw this graffitied near Brighton station, and it struck such a chord that I have it framed at home.
From a business perspective, my favourite saying is: “We’re all in sales.” It highlights the importance of building relationships and delivering value in everything we do.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
I’d love to return to interim roles in the future. Running my own business and making a significant impact across multiple organizations was incredibly rewarding.
In the coming years, I aim to take on an MD role within a technology organization, possibly alongside non-executive director work.
I’m also passionate about expanding my community contributions. While I already do a lot, there’s always more to give—whether it’s supporting people, mentoring, or helping others realize their potential.
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?
Set ambitious goals and always strive for the greater good. However, don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned. Success comes from consistent effort, patience, and learning from every experience. Keep going—you’ll get there, and I believe in you!