Ask any local CIO what their job description entails and you`ll invariably get an eclectic mix of roles and responsibilities that most often translates into ‘glorified IT manager`. Conversely, look at what being a CIO entails at an international level and that definition changes somewhat.

CIOs in the US and European markets generally have a strong business and financial background, which is then enriched by a deep understanding of the high-level value, an effective and service-driven IT operation can bring to the organisation.

Most often, these individuals have spent very little time at the coalface of an IT department, but have gained their high-level IT knowledge through some form of association with the IT department or an IT company, where they most likely served as a financial or operations manager.