Panel 3: Transforming Vertical Markets Through Connectivity
Moderated by Claudia Krywiak
Organizations across all industries are becoming increasingly dependent on ICT technologies. In fact, organizations outside the ICT sector employ more ICT professionals than the ICT sector itself: according to the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), as of 2017 60% of ICT professionals were employed outside the Canadian ICT sector. This is not surprising: digitization, ubiquitous connectivity, mobility, cloud computing, and Internet of Things, among other next generation technologies, are revolutionizing how traditional vertical industries operate and serve their customers. This panel will look at how advancements in ICT and networking are moving these industries forward, and what organizations must do to take full advantage of the transformational potential of these technologies.
Keynote: Harnessing Transformative Technology
Bruce Ross is responsible for the strategy and overall management of global technology and operations for RBC, which includes innovation, applications development, infrastructure and enterprise operations. Together with other members of the Group Executive, he is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of the bank.
Since joining in 2014, Bruce has led the technology team in transforming RBC to a digitally-enabled relationship bank. He has spearheaded a technology strategy designed to deliver exceptional client experiences in today’s digital world, while also driving efficiency, maintaining security and growing talent. Under his leadership, the team is evolving traditional models to deliver efficiency as transaction volumes rise while continually innovating to create exceptional client experiences through data insights and leading digital capabilities. Bruce was named Canadian CIO of the Year in 2017 by the Information Technology Association of Canada.
A seasoned executive with more than 30 years of technology and business experience, Bruce was the General Manager, Global Technology Services, North America at IBM before joining RBC. He also held roles as the General Manager, Global Technology Services, Europe for IBM and General Manager and President, IBM Canada.
Bruce is a professional engineer and a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.
“Transformation in this age of digital acceleration is about empowering clients to live and conduct business the way they choose to.”