Gartner South Africa's new program director of its executive programme (Exp) James Adlard is only 35, has just on ten years' experience in the industry, and his career and qualifications are slightly different to the industry norm.

The usual image of a Gartner Exp programme director is that of a grey-haired, seen-it-all former CIO who wears the regulation corporate grey suit like a second skin, has the demeanour of an ancient sage and acts as a kindly uncle to CIOs sweating the corporate mill. His role is a mixture of counsellor, coach and facilitator, with the aim of giving the CIO the information needed to make decisions.