Global CIO and digital transformation leader sharing real-world strategies to turn technology into growth and competitive advantage.
5 of 5
"Your stage presence was brilliant, great connection with the audience, light, fun, and at the same time serious and interesting presentation."
The Aurora Live Executive Day team
Benedetto Conversano is a seasoned global business leader with more than three decades of experience driving digital transformation across some of the world’s most recognised organisations. From building AI capabilities to launching e-commerce platforms and redefining IT as a strategic powerhouse, he brings a rare mix of technical depth and executive vision. Benedetto’s talks are grounded in real-world experience and designed to inspire leaders to act with clarity, courage, and purpose in an increasingly digital world.
Benedetto Conversano is an internationally experienced business and technology leader who has spent over thirty years shaping digital transformation across industries including consumer goods, retail, and beauty. With executive roles at global organisations such as Diageo, Avon, Jerónimo Martins, IKEA, and Procter & Gamble, he has consistently delivered large-scale transformation initiatives that connect technology with business value.
His career reflects a deep understanding of how organisations evolve in response to technological change, combined with a strong ability to execute complex strategies at scale. Benedetto’s perspective is shaped by hands-on leadership across multiple markets and cultures, having lived and worked across Europe and beyond.
As Global Chief Information Officer at Diageo, Benedetto built the company’s Digital & Technology function from the ground up. This included establishing advanced data and analytics capabilities, strengthening cybersecurity practices, and leading early adoption of artificial intelligence to support business growth and innovation.
Before Diageo, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Information Officer at Avon, where he led the digital transformation of the global direct selling beauty business. His work enabled Avon to modernise its operations and better connect with customers in a rapidly evolving market.
At Jerónimo Martins, Benedetto played a key role in building the organisation’s first online business, setting the foundation for its digital presence. During his time at IKEA as Chief Enterprise Architect, he led the implementation of the company’s first e-commerce platform, helping to transform how the brand reached and served customers worldwide.
Earlier in his career, Benedetto spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble, where he held several executive roles across Business Intelligence, Global Business Services, Supply Chain Forecasting, and CRM. These experiences laid the groundwork for his holistic understanding of how technology supports every aspect of a global business.
Beyond his executive career, Benedetto is actively involved in advisory and board roles. He is currently a member of the Digital Advisory Board at Mars Petcare and Médecins Sans Frontières, where he contributes his expertise to organisations navigating digital change.
He has also served as a Non-Executive Director at Satellite Applications Catapult, supporting innovation in the satellite technology sector. His previous board experience includes Greenspring Associates Venture Capital and IKEA Food, reflecting his broad perspective across industries and business models.
Benedetto is the author of the upcoming book The BraveHeart CIO: Disrupt. Inspire. Transform.. The book offers a practical guide for leaders navigating digital transformation in the age of AI. Drawing on decades of experience, it highlights a central idea: successful transformation depends on courage as much as technology.
Through real-world case studies and a clear leadership framework, Benedetto demonstrates how organisations can turn IT into a competitive advantage, align digital initiatives with strategic goals, and lead confidently in times of uncertainty. His message resonates with boards, CEOs, and digital leaders seeking to create lasting impact.
Benedetto holds a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the Polytechnic of Bari, where he developed early satellite application software decoding Synthetic Aperture Radar signals. His passion for technology started early, having built his first AI systems during high school while developing software for computer games.
Originally from Italy, Benedetto has lived across Poland, Sweden, and Portugal, and is currently based in London. His international background adds depth to his understanding of global organisations and cultural dynamics.
Outside of his professional work, he enjoys sports, music, reading, and cooking—interests that reflect his curiosity and balanced approach to life.
Benedetto Conversano delivers engaging, insightful talks that combine strategic vision with practical experience. He speaks on topics such as digital transformation, AI adoption, leadership in times of disruption, and how to turn technology into a driver of business growth.
His sessions are tailored for executives, boards, and organisations looking to navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities through technology. With a clear, direct style and a wealth of real-world examples, Benedetto equips audiences with the mindset and tools needed to lead transformation with confidence.
5 of 5
"Your stage presence was brilliant, great connection with the audience, light, fun, and at the same time serious and interesting presentation."
The Aurora Live Executive Day team
Keynote by Benedetto Conversano:
Artificial Intelligence is transforming every industry at unprecedented speed, but technology alone is not what defines success. The real challenge for leaders is having the courage to confront the uncomfortable questions that come with disruption, uncertainty, and rapid change. In this thought-provoking keynote, Benedetto Conversano explores what it truly takes to lead organisations through one of the most significant transformations in human history.
Drawing on more than three decades of experience leading digital transformation at global companies including Diageo, IKEA, Avon, and Procter & Gamble, Benedetto shares practical insights into how leaders can embrace AI with clarity and confidence. He examines the fears, resistance, and organisational barriers that often prevent businesses from fully unlocking the potential of AI, while demonstrating how courageous leadership can turn uncertainty into opportunity.
Audiences will gain a deeper understanding of how to align AI initiatives with business strategy, foster innovation without losing human connection, and create cultures that are ready to adapt and evolve. Combining strategic vision with real-world examples, Benedetto challenges leaders to rethink how they approach technology, transformation, and decision-making in the age of AI.
This keynote is ideal for executives, boards, and organisations seeking to navigate disruption, embrace innovation, and lead confidently into the future.
Keynote by Benedetto Conversano:
Why do so many digital transformations fail, even when organisations invest heavily in technology? And what separates the companies that successfully reinvent themselves from those that struggle to keep pace? In this engaging keynote, Benedetto Conversano explores the critical factors behind successful transformation in a world increasingly shaped by AI, data, and digital disruption.
Having led major transformation initiatives at some of the world’s most recognised brands, Benedetto offers a unique insider perspective on the realities of digital change. From building Diageo’s Digital & Technology function from the ground up to launching IKEA’s first e-commerce platform and modernising global operations at Avon, he shares the lessons learned from decades of leading complex change at scale.
Benedetto explains why transformation is never only about technology. Instead, success depends on leadership, culture, collaboration, and the ability to align digital ambition with clear business outcomes. He highlights the common mistakes organisations make, including fragmented strategies, resistance to change, and short-term thinking, while providing practical frameworks for building resilient, future-ready businesses.
Through compelling real-world case studies and actionable insights, audiences will discover how to create transformation strategies that deliver measurable impact, inspire teams, and unlock innovation across the organisation.
This keynote is perfect for leaders and organisations looking to drive meaningful change, accelerate innovation, and thrive in the digital era.
Keynote by Benedetto Conversano:
Technology ecosystems are more interconnected than ever before, yet many organisations still struggle with inefficiency, complexity, and fragmented ways of working. In this insightful keynote, Benedetto Conversano explores how businesses can reinvent their technology supply chains to create real value, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate innovation in a rapidly changing world.
Drawing on his extensive experience leading technology and transformation across global organisations, Benedetto explains how outdated operating models often destroy value instead of creating it. He examines the hidden challenges within modern technology ecosystems, from disconnected teams and siloed decision-making to inefficient processes and misaligned priorities.
Using examples from his leadership roles at Diageo, IKEA, Avon, and beyond, Benedetto demonstrates how organisations can redesign the way technology, business functions, and external partners work together. He shares practical strategies for building agile, collaborative ecosystems that support innovation, improve speed to market, and deliver sustainable business growth.
The keynote also explores the growing role of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making in reshaping technology supply chains and creating more adaptive organisations. Benedetto challenges leaders to rethink traditional structures and embrace new ways of working that prioritise value creation, resilience, and long-term impact.
This keynote is ideal for business leaders, technology executives, and organisations looking to modernise operations, strengthen collaboration, and unlock the full potential of their technology ecosystems.
Watch Benedetto Conversano in action
