Benedetto Conversano

Core Intelligence Domain: Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Technology Leadership, & Change Management

Location: London, UK | Languages: English, Italian

Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Benedetto Conversano is a senior business leader positioned at the crossroads of technology and strategy, bringing over thirty years of experience guiding multinational organisations through complex digital transformations. He is widely recognised for aligning technology with corporate strategy, turning IT from a cost centre into a competitive advantage during times of disruption.

With a career spanning elite executive leadership, Conversano most recently served as Global Chief Information Officer at Diageo, where he built the Digital & Technology function from scratch, established a best-in-class data and analytics team, and successfully pioneered the company’s AI initiatives. Previously, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Information Officer at Avon, where he led the digital transformation of its direct-selling beauty business. His leadership background also includes serving as Group Chief Information Officer at Jerónimo Martins, where he built its first online business, and as Chief Enterprise Architect at IKEA, where he implemented the Swedish giant’s first e-commerce platform. Earlier, he spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble in executive roles across Business Intelligence, Global Business Services, Supply Chain Forecasting, and CRM.

Conversano is the author of The Braveheart CIO: Why Every CEO Needs One at the Table, an inspiring guide that explores how courage, not just technology, is the defining factor in successful digital change. He is an active member of the Digital Advisory Board of Médecins Sans Frontières and has served as a Non-Executive Director at Mars Petcare and Satellite Applications Catapult. He holds a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the Polytechnic of Bari, where he developed early satellite application software to decode Synthetic Aperture Radar signals. Discover more world-class insights from our elite roster by visiting the PSpeakers Speaker Directory.

Benedetto Conversano’s Digital Leadership & AI Transformation Legacy

In a corporate landscape defined by rapid technological disruption, Benedetto Conversano operates on the principle that “Technology is no longer outside the strategy room. Technology is the strategy room.” With decades of global experience, he gives boards, CEOs, and digital executives the bold leadership frameworks they need to navigate AI. His keynotes challenge leadership teams to confront uncomfortable questions and redefine the role of technology leadership, ensuring organisations can seize the opportunities of modern transformation.

What are Benedetto Conversano’s Main Areas of Expertise?

• Artificial Intelligence Strategy: Pioneering AI integration and helping leaders confront the critical questions needed to seize AI opportunities.
• Enterprise Digital Transformation: Leading digital overhauls across sectors, including direct-selling and e-commerce platform implementation.
• Data, Analytics, & Cybersecurity: Establishing best-in-class data teams, cybersecurity practices, and business intelligence frameworks.
• Brave Technology Leadership: Redefining the CIO role and utilising courage as a primary driver for successful organisational change.
• Strategic IT Alignment: Turning IT functions from cost centres into core competitive advantages that align directly with corporate strategy.

Core Speaking Themes and Strategic Outcomes

1. Courage in the World of AI

• Core Focus: Navigating the most important technological transformation in history by addressing the uncomfortable questions leaders must confront.
• Key Analysis: Evaluating how courage and conviction, rather than just technology, define successful AI adoption and change management.
• Strategic Outcome: Equipping leaders with Benedetto Conversano‘s bold framework necessary to seize AI opportunities and integrate them into enterprise strategy.

2. The Braveheart CIO

• Core Focus: Redefining the role of technology leadership in the modern era of Artificial Intelligence and digital disruption.
• Key Analysis: Transforming the IT department from a traditional cost centre into a strategic competitive advantage at the executive table, a core philosophy championed by Conversano.
• Strategic Outcome: Empowering boards and CEOs to align their technology initiatives with core business strategy, led by courageous digital executives.

3. How to Sell to a CIO

• Core Focus: Uncovering what keeps Chief Information Officers awake at night and understanding their strategic priorities.
• Key Analysis: Deconstructing the communication methods and approaches needed to inspire partnership and build trust with top technology leaders.
• Strategic Outcome: Providing vendors, partners, and internal stakeholders with actionable strategies to collaborate effectively with top CIOs like Benedetto and drive technology initiatives.

Actionable Key Takeaways for Corporate Audiences

Executive teams, CIOs, and tech leaders leave Benedetto Conversano’s energetic, provocative, and optimistic keynotes equipped with high-level digital tools for strategic implementation:

• AI Leadership Frameworks: Strategies to confront difficult technological questions and successfully pioneer enterprise AI.
• Courage-Driven Change Methodologies: Proven approaches to lead digital transformations with conviction during times of disruption.
• IT Value Realisation: Frameworks to reposition digital and technology functions as central pillars of strategic competitive advantage.
• Stakeholder Trust & Partnership Building: Techniques for communicating with technology leaders in a way that fosters trust and inspires collaborative innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why book Benedetto Conversano for your event?

Booking Benedetto Conversano brings a distinguished Global CIO and digital transformation veteran directly to your stage. With executive experience at global giants like Diageo, Avon, IKEA, and Procter & Gamble, he provides practical, inspiring guidance for navigating digital transformation. His energetic keynotes challenge leadership teams to use courage to drive change, ensuring technology becomes central to the strategy room.

What is Benedetto Conversano’s background and expertise?

Benedetto Conversano is a senior business leader with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. He built the Digital & Technology function at Diageo as Global CIO and previously led transformations as Chief Digital & Information Officer at Avon and Chief Enterprise Architect at IKEA. He also serves on advisory boards, including Médecins Sans Frontières, and authored The Braveheart CIO: Why Every CEO Needs One at the Table.

How do I book Benedetto Conversano through PSpeakers?

To secure Benedetto Conversano for your upcoming technology summit, corporate offsite, or keynote panel, please submit an inquiry directly through the PSpeakers Global Intelligence advisory team. We will provide tailored proposal options aligned with your event’s specific strategic objectives.