David Stokes is the Chief Executive for IBM in the UK and Ireland (UKI) where he is leading the charge in helping organisations across all industries leverage digital technology to transform; both by streamlining their business operations and by creating engaging front office systems.

David is responsible for all IBM’s operations in the UK and Ireland. This includes all of IBM’s lines of business (services, software, hardware and global financing), client and partner relationships and support functions. The UK and Ireland is one of IBM’s largest international operations and includes a number of international client delivery, development and support functions.

David has had an extensive international career holding various senior technology and business leadership roles in IBM. His roles include the launch and expansion of IBM’s Websphere (e-business middleware) business in the UK and then into Europe, Middle East and Africa, the development of IBM’s commercial business operations in the UK and a number of leadership roles across the emerging markets.

David is passionate about the role technology can play in transforming business and society and is a champion of the importance of developing Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills to help solve the UK skills shortage and drive growth in the UK economy. In support of this and other important business and societal issues, he is a member of the e-Skills UK IT and Telecoms Board, the Information Economy Council and the CBI Presidents Committee.

David plays a key role in championing diversity across the business by chairing the IBM UKI Diversity Council as well as being an active advocate of the importance of gender diversity. He is also a keen sponsor of the IBM graduate, student and apprenticeship programmes.

In additional to his responsibilities leading the UK and Ireland workforce, David has been a member of the global IBM Strategy team which is responsible for shaping and developing IBM’s corporate strategy.