INNOVATION, SECURITY AND LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Chris Gill, Head of IT
For more than 15 years, Chris Gill has been helping shape Storm's technology landscape. Starting his career with the business in 2011, he has grown alongside the company and now leads the IT team, driving innovation, security, and operational excellence across the organisation. We caught up with Chris to discuss his career journey, the future of technology, and what makes Storm such a rewarding place to work.
Tell us about your journey at Storm?
I joined Storm after completing a classroom-based apprenticeship, making it my first role in the IT industry. At the time, I was introduced to the opportunity through a recruiter and didn't know a huge amount about the company beforehand. However, my first impressions were incredibly positive. The office environment was great, the recruitment process was straightforward, and there was an immediate sense that Storm was a business focused on its people.
What really stood out after joining was the company culture. Everyone was approachable, supportive and willing to share their knowledge, which made it an ideal environment to learn and develop. Over the years, I've been fortunate to grow alongside the business and now lead the team responsible for managing and maintaining Storm's IT systems and infrastructure, while working closely with stakeholders across the organisation to enable growth, efficiency and security.
How has technology changed during your career and what challenges does that create?
The technology landscape has transformed dramatically since I started my career. One of the biggest changes has been the move away from traditional on-premises infrastructure towards cloud and SaaS technologies, which have given organisations far greater flexibility and scalability. At the same time, security has become a much bigger priority and is now considered at every stage of the technology lifecycle rather than being treated as an afterthought.
Today, one of my main responsibilities is balancing innovation with governance. The business wants to move quickly and take advantage of new opportunities, whether that's through automation, AI or new platforms, but it's equally important to ensure we maintain high standards of IT security and data protection. Looking ahead, AI and cloud technologies will continue to evolve rapidly, and the challenge for organisations will be identifying where they can deliver the greatest value while ensuring costs, risks and governance remain under control.
What makes Storm different and what do you enjoy most about working here?
For me, Storm's greatest strength is its people-first approach. The business has always done a fantastic job of understanding the needs of its customers and adapting its services accordingly, whether through internal expertise or its wider partner network. That customer focus has been a key part of the company's success.
Equally important is the way Storm invests in its employees. Throughout my career, I've always felt trusted, listened to and empowered to make decisions. If I bring forward a new idea or suggestion, the conversation is always constructive and collaborative. There's a genuine willingness to explore opportunities and find the right path forward. That combination of trust, autonomy and support creates an environment where people can make a real impact while continuing to develop professionally.
What achievement are you most proud of, and what's next for you?
While I'm proud of the technical projects and service desk functions I've helped build over the years, my biggest achievement is the impact I've been able to have on people. I've had the privilege of supporting team members as they've developed their skills, progressed into new roles and achieved career goals of their own. Creating a culture of learning, collaboration and development is something I care deeply about, and it's incredibly rewarding to see people succeed.
Looking ahead, my focus is on continuous learning. As Head of IT, I'm often the person others look to for guidance, so it's important that I continue developing my knowledge across technology, cybersecurity and the wider business landscape. By doing so, I can continue supporting Storm, our customers and the team as technology continues to evolve.
