Software development has evolved beyond traditional observability, requiring a more comprehensive approach to understanding system behaviour and business impact. Leading this transformation is Ian Philips, General Manager for Full Stack Observability at HCLSoftware, who brings two decades of diverse experience. Through his unconventional journey and deep understanding of both technology and business needs, Ian has helped reshape how companies approach observability and business alignment.
Entering the Tech World
After graduating from Northwest University in South Africa, where he balanced athletics with part-time IT work and scuba instruction, Ian’s first venture was surprisingly far from technology. “I headed off to Scotland to dive for shell fish, arriving in February, which was a very bad mistake,” he says, recalling how quickly his initial funds disappeared on winter clothes. A chance connection led him to the Scottish shellfish industry, where he quickly spotted an opportunity. “I put an advert in the TNT in London and had eight divers. I bought two boats and started providing shellfish for the local distributors,” Ian explains. For two years, he navigated rough seas and sinking boats, learning valuable lessons about risk and business management along the way.
Ian’s entry into technology came through a party conversation that led to IT project management on the London Underground. His approach was straightforward: “You need to be good at what you do. Nobody’s going to give you the opportunity – you’ve got to go out and find it.” This mindset carried him through roles at major financial institutions, including JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank. At Deutsche Bank, Ian identified a critical problem in IT service management. “Every time something would go wrong, they would ask, ‘Why did we not know this was a problem?’ The data was all there if you understood context and impact.”
Creating Solutions That Matter
This insight led Ian and a partner to develop iControl, a solution addressing the gap between IT monitoring and business impact. “We created a company and started to build a product. We did that for about four years, and in 2017, HCL Technologies acquired us,” he shares. Now as General Manager for Full Stack Observability at HCLSoftware, Ian continues to innovate in the space he helped pioneer. His focus remains on bridging the gap between technology and business outcomes. “Your business needs technology, but your business is the key thing. You need to put business first, technology second, and focus on outcomes.”
Ian’s experiences have shaped his perspective on business and risk-taking:
- Take Risks Early: “When you’re young, take as much risk as possible because generally it will pay off if you’re enthusiastic and have the drive power. You’ve got less to lose, and you can still pick yourself up.”
- Stay Curious: “I think my passion is I like to be interested. All the jobs I’ve picked are jobs that are always changing. If you’re not adapting with that, you get put out quite quickly or you just get bored.”
- Build Networks Through Action: “When I left South Africa, there was no Facebook, no WhatsApp, no mobile phones. You needed to be as charismatic as possible and meet people. You had to learn how to quickly convey that you had expertise.”
Ian’s vision extends beyond just technology leadership. “I want to make a difference,” he states. “Excellence comes in striving for that bit of extra and making sure you’re good at what you do and not settling for less.” While balancing his role at HCLSoftware with family life – he has two rugby-playing sons – Ian continues to advise early-stage companies and invest in new ventures. His goal is to establish himself as a thought leader in the observability space while maintaining his focus on business-first solutions.
To learn more about Ian’s work in observability and business technology alignment, check out his LinkedIn profile.
