Leading the Future of Tech with Purpose and Vision
Daniel Suraboyini, Global Chief Information Officer, SIPEF
Daniel Suraboyini, Global Chief Information Officer, SIPEF
As the CIO of SIPEF Group, I am at the forefront of transforming how technology powers sustainability, inclusivity and innovation across a global agribusiness. With operations spanning Belgium, Singapore, Ivory Coast, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, my leadership is driving a bold vision for what it means to be a modern CIO in 2025—and beyond.
The Next Decade of IT: From Cost Center to Growth Driver“The CIO’s role is being completely reimagined. We’re moving from infrastructure custodians to business enablers.”
In the next 5–10 years, I see a clear shift where technology becomes a strategic growth engine. AI-driven decision-making, automation, cloud scalability, edge computing, drones, and IoT will all reshape the enterprise.
“It’s about balancing agility with security, scale with sustainability. Cybersecurity and data privacy will continue to rise in prominence, but the real transformation is cultural—seeing tech as a differentiator, not just a support function.”
Workplace Culture: Innovation Through InclusionI believe that the power of diversity is now being more broadly recognised. “There’s a growing realisation that diversity isn’t only about fairness—it’s a competitive edge. It drives innovation, enriches thinking and strengthens global engagement.”
My vision of an ideal workplace reflects this ethos. “It’s open, creative and collaborative—where every voice matters. It must support work-life balance, ongoing learning, and emotional well-being, alongside technical excellence.”
The most energising part of my role is setting the technology vision for SIPEF while ensuring alignment with business strategy. “I’m passionate about building bridges between tech and business, working with leaders to deliver meaningful outcomes. Leading transformation, developing teams and solving real-world problems—it’s incredibly fulfilling.”
But this journey comes with its complexities. “The biggest challenge is staying ahead of constant change— managing new technologies, balancing short-term needs with long-term innovation and doing all this while remaining secure, efficient and aligned with business expectations.”
Agile as a Core CapabilityTo stay nimble, SIPEF has embedded agile practices across its IT operations. “Agile has truly transformed how we work. It’s enabled tighter collaboration with business teams, faster feedback cycles and iterative delivery that aligns with evolving needs.”
This shift has translated into faster time-to-market, higher-quality outcomes and better alignment with business goals. “Agility fosters a culture of continuous improvement and resilience—two qualities that are critical in today’s volatile landscape.”
Global Teams, Shared VisionLeading diverse teams across multiple countries is a cornerstone of my approach. Since late 2022, I have spearheaded Be Digital: One Technology Transformation, a major initiative addressing three strategic business objectives—IT Modernisation, Digitalisation, and Reinvention—delivered through the Seed, Plant and Fruit programs.
“These programs span geographies and functions. We had to navigate time zones, cultural differences and communication styles—but we made diversity our strength. Through virtual team-building, custom collaboration tools, and inclusive leadership, we built a high-performing, globally unified team. The innovation that emerged from this diversity was remarkable.”
Sustainability Through Smart TechAs environmental concerns take centre stage, I am leading SIPEF’s green tech strategy. “We’ve deployed solar energy solutions across several of our IT offices and management premises, dramatically cutting our carbon footprint.”
Beyond internal efficiencies, SIPEF is also focused on regulatory and supply chain transparency. “We’ve implemented digital traceability tools to align with evolving EU regulations— demonstrating that sustainability isn’t just a goal, it’s a requirement for future competitiveness.”
The roadmap is expanding. “We’re evaluating solar-powered lighting, cooling systems and even extending green energy at various core business operations. It’s all about leveraging technology for long-term impact.
