Two-Thirds of CIOs Called on to Generate Revenue, More CIOs Report Directly to CEO Than Ever Before, and These Are 'Happiest' (87 Percent), Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey Finds

Largest global IT leadership survey reveals a more creative, influential CIO, but 65 percent are hindered by the greatest tech skills shortage since Great Recession

LONDON, May 23, 2016 /CNW/ - More CIOs report directly to the CEO (34 percent) than at any time in the past decade, rising 10 percent over last year, according to the 2016 Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey. CIOs with a direct report to the CEO are also the happiest (87 percent report job fulfilment). The findings highlight how CIO priorities continue to shift, revealing the CEO now focuses on IT projects that make money (almost two thirds, 63 percent), compared to save money (37 percent). In fact, some of the traditional top CIO priorities have seen the biggest drop in importance over the last four years. Increasing operational efficiencies has dropped 16 percent, and delivering stable IT performance has dropped 27 percent.

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However, the survey showed that despite being more creative and increasing their influence, CIOs say they still are being hindered by the greatest technology skills shortage since the Great Recession almost a decade ago. Almost two-thirds (65 percent) of CIOs say they believe a lack of talent will prevent their organization from keeping up with the pace of change, a 10 percent increase in just 12 months. Data analytics is the most in-demand skill for the second year running, at 39 percent. The biggest jump in skill demand year-over-year is digital, up 21 percent and security, up 17 percent. Companies most crave the newer digital and IT strategy skills, according to the survey. In its 18^th year, the Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey is the largest IT leadership survey in the world, and more than any other time, the survey results reveal an undeniable increase in the influence of the CIO.

For more information about the survey and to request a full copy of the results, please visit http://www.hnkpmgciosurvey.com

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SOURCE Harvey Nash Group

Michelle Smith, Harvey Nash, [email protected], [phone]; Amy Greenshields, KPMG International, [phone], [email protected]