CIO Wave Of Change™ February 2025

Cost optimisation is the top priority for 60% of CIOs in 2025

Cost optimisation remains the top operational priority amid ongoing financial pressures: 60% of CIOs identified cost optimisation as their foremost focus for 2025.

Organisations are facing mounting economic and regulatory pressures, and IT leaders are under significant strain to "do more with less". That strain is driving decisions around vendor consolidation, cloud efficiency, and strategic technology investment to unlock savings without stalling innovation.

Only 14% of CIOs have fully implemented AI as integration hurdles and data silos persist

Integration challenges and data silos are major barriers to transformation. While AI and digital initiatives remain a key strategic goal, only 14% of CIOs reported full implementation of AI projects.

The majority cite significant hurdles, including complex integration across legacy systems, persistent data silos, and gaps in digital infrastructure. These obstacles are slowing down transformation efforts and delaying time-to-value for new technologies.

62% of Australian CIOs face project cancellations or delays as budgets tighten

Budget constraints are causing widespread disruption to digital initiatives. 62% of Australian CIOs have already experienced, or expect to experience, project cancellations or delays due to tightening budgets.

As financial scrutiny intensifies, IT leaders are increasingly required to build stronger business cases, demonstrate rapid ROI, and secure greater executive and board-level buy-in for technology investments.

Security, cloud modernisation and AI investments will dominate IT strategy in 2025

Cybersecurity threats remain the top boardroom concern, pushing security and resilience to the forefront of CIO agendas.

At the same time, cloud migration, hybrid infrastructure models, and AI/ML initiatives are shaping future IT roadmaps, with a strong focus on operational efficiency, automation, and customer-centric innovation.

For more information please click "Read full Report".

Factor launches a Research and Advisory arm for C-Suite leaders and providers

Exclusive membership organisation, Factor, has launched a new Research and Advisory arm, aimed at helping both C-Suite leaders and providers in the enterprise and public sectors.

It comes after Factor rebranded at the beginning of the 24/25 financial year, with the new identity representing an expanded vision and commitment to offering top-tier thought leadership and networking opportunities to senior executives across ANZ, Singapore and a number of other countries and regions.

The new arm of Factor is being spearheaded by VP and Head of Research Craig Baty and VP of Advisory Partnerships Shayne Arundell.

Gartner alumni Craig Baty and Shayne Arundell lead the new practice

With over 30 years of C-level experience in ICT, HR, marketing, sales, operations, market research, and international business, Craig brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Factor. “I’m pleased to be part of Factor’s expansion into Research & Advisory services, and I’m looking forward to sharing actionable insights with our members and providers to guide them on best practices in the market,” says Craig.

Craig has held a number of C-level roles including his own start-up, Global VP Global Marketing and VP Digital Services in Fujitsu Tokyo HQ, and CTO & Head of Marketing for APAC. He also served as Distinguished Lead Analyst for ISG and established the Provider Lens research arm in AP.

As Group VP and Head of Research for Gartner AP/J and CEO of Gartner Japan he earned the first AP/J Gartner Thought Leadership award, established what is now Gartner for Marketing, and pioneered the Gartner SWOT analysis methodology.

Shayne Arundell is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of success in the APAC region, bringing over 15 years of Partnerships experience to Factor from the FMCG, Fintech and Research and Advisory industries.

Shayne is also a Gartner alumnus, previously serving as Director of Enterprise Sales, and as APAC Vice President for Intelligence Cloud at Korn Ferry, both being leading global consulting firms.

“Factor is the newest leader in advisory, backed by fiercely local insights, from an extensive market research database you won’t see anywhere else,” Shayne explains.

Coverage spans AI, cyber security, hybrid cloud and digital transformation

Factor's research will cover a range of topics within its expertise, including, but not limited to:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

• Cyber Security

• 5G Landscape

• Hybrid Cloud

• Technology Profitability

• AU Fintech

• Digital Transformation and Enablement

• CX, EX, UX

An analyst team and the Directions™ portal bring the research to members

Both Craig and Shayne are supported by Factor’s team of experts and analysts, including Director of Insights and Value, Darren Adams, who is a highly regarded professional in the APAC data and analytics space, drawing on his experience in communications, client relations, B2B marketing, data and strategy in the technology sector.

“People are at the heart of everything we do at Factor, and data is our key in transforming their interactions into understandings. I'm excited to share cutting-edge insights and understanding with our community, to help foster deeper, lasting and beneficial connections,” Darren says.

Factor’s Editor-In-Chief, Madeline Palmer, an expert media professional, oversees a broad range of strategic, editorial, and managerial tasks to ensure the production and dissemination of high-quality research content.

“Our new membership app will be one-stop shop for all technology leaders to connect and learn through events, advisory and multi-media content, and I am looking forward to being part of that journey,” says Madeline. The Directions™ portal on Factor’s new membership app is a cutting-edge platform, allowing users to explore a repository of reports and other content, as well as create their own research visualisations with Factor’s existing database.

Factor’s CEO and founder, Josh Heid, says this new phase for the company is something he’s been working towards for quite some time. “After six incredible years of empowering and enabling leaders, our rebrand as Factor, coupled with the launch of our Research and Advisory arm, is about offering our members and providers with the best services and products the market can offer,” Josh explains. “I’m very proud of the team at Factor and what we have built.”

For more information about Factor’s new Research and Advisory offerings click below.