Our next Spotlight series features Kyndryl: the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider and a Storey customer based at our newest Storey space, 100 Liverpool Street on our Broadgate Campus.
Kyndryl designs, builds, manages, and modernises the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day, for businesses across different sectors such as Banking, Financial Services and Retail.
In November 2021, Kyndryl became an independent company listing on the New York Stock Exchange after being previously part of IBM.
Its global base of customers includes 75 of the Fortune 100 companies. With more than 90,000 consultants operating from more than 100 countries, Kyndryl is committed to empowering progress for its customers and Its client portfolio includes Etihad, BMW and RSA.
We spoke to Tosca Colangeli, President of Kyndryl UK and Ireland on her role, responsibilities, and future ambitions for the business.
Storey: What is your current role and remit? How long have you been in the role?
Tosca: I am currently President of Kyndryl in the UK and Ireland and have been in the role for 8 months.
Storey: What do you like most about your current role?
Tosca: In my role, I’ve met with more than 100 of our UK & Ireland clients since we became an independent company last year. It’s definitely the best part of my job!
Since becoming an independent company last year, we have taken steps to streamline our client services. Our departments have been consolidated under six global practice areas: Cloud, Applications, Data & AI, Security & Resiliency; Core Enterprise & Cloud; Network & Edge and Digital Workplace. We also have a Customer Advisory led by senior executives who provide on best-in-class strategies for our clients.
Our teams are lean and empowered to work closely with customers and make quick decisions to best meet our clients’ requirements. We have been very thoughtful in how we will best serve our customers – we are making these changes in partnership with our clients.
Storey: What are the future opportunities for Kyndryl?
Tosca: Our opportunity for expected growth encompasses the following areas: cloud, data, security and AI.
These business areas are projected to grow faster in 2022, as they are becoming increasingly important for our customers. As a result, we are building global practices that are linked to these opportunity areas across our network.
We also strive to foster a positive, purpose-led and inclusive culture for both our customers and our employees.
Storey: Biggest or most rewarding career highlight(s) to date?
Tosca: My appointment in July 2021 to Kyndryl UKI President is my biggest career achievement to date. I mean, how often do you get to be part of an 90,000 person start up in a career lifetime? What an adventure – I feel very lucky. The opportunity this presents is immense.
Storey: What has been the biggest challenge or obstacle in your career success to date?
Tosca: People typically believe success is linear and that small improvements are made along the way. My children recently brought home a picture which illustrated success as a spaghetti diagram, which I believe is much more representative of the ups and downs which characterise the journey to success.
Another key ingredient behind my success to date is choosing the right teams to work with. It’s important to trust in the capability and judgement of your teams. I have previously made bad decisions about choosing the wrong teams to work with, and as a result, I have not been given the opportunities to progress my career.
After more than 30 years in the business, I try to share my learnings on success and failure with my teams to help them learn and be prepared for any upcoming challenges.
Storey: Where do you take your inspiration from?
Tosca: My parents have been a great inspiration to me. They are both very entrepreneurial. My mother, who is in her 70s, started a new business only five years ago – Windsor Fruit Liqueurs, an award-winning drinks and alcohol start-up – demonstrating how it’s never too late to realise your business ambitions.
My dad previously ran an Italian restaurant in Liverpool for 50 years. I worked for him when I was younger, but he asked me to leave three times as my performance wasn’t meeting the required restaurant standards. This taught me the value of customer service, which is particularly important in services led organisations such as Kyndryl, where customers really are the heart and lungs of our business.
Storey: What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to other women aspiring to break into your industry / sector?
Tosca: The best piece of advice I can give is to choose a job you love and one you feel passionate about. If you make your passion a career, it becomes a natural recipe for success, happiness and fulfilment.
The second piece of advice is do not be afraid of failure. Adversity and failure often create some of the best opportunities for learning and growth.