On the lighter side of things, we ask Toby Parkins, Co-founder and Group CEO, Headforwards, what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
I’m really proud of creating Agile on the Beach, the UK’s award-winning Agile methodologies conference. We started it in 2011 with the ambition of supporting people working with Agile methodologies, at all stages of their transformation journeys. Every year 500 people descend to the conference in Cornwall over two days where an impressive roster of speakers present the latest theories, ideas and practices. So many people enjoy it, it does feel like a great achievement. On several occasions in different countries I’ve been told by people about how great the Agile on the Beach conference is, when they don’t know I founded it. That’s an amazing feeling.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
The truth is that for as long as I can remember I’ve always been into tech. My parents got a ZX Spectrum 48K and back in 1982 I was using that to teach myself to do basic programming. In 1993 I started using the Internet at university – this was before the Internet was really useful – and I discovered that you could connect to all sorts of servers and people around the world.
As soon as I realised cheap and accessible Internet was becoming available, I set up my first Internet technology business using a Lean approach, and from there I just kept going.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
I’ve always felt that, as a leader, it’s important to set people up to succeed. When you’re looking to scale or grow your business, it’s essential to have access to expertise and experience. I try to empower people, but also ensure that they’ve got the knowledge and are surrounded by knowledge. It’s talked about a lot more these days but psychological safety in the workplace environment is extremely important. People should be able to feel like it’s OK to say they don’t know how to do something, or to challenge us and take sensible risks.
What do you think has emerged as the technology trend of 2025 and why?
Obviously, I’m going to say AI. I think we will start to see lower cost options in terms of energy and compute impact of Generative AI, and that people will start understanding what AI can’t do and does not do (yet). While AI systems hold immense potential to revolutionise industries, improve efficiencies and offer innovative solutions to complex problems, business leaders must be aware of the importance of ethical considerations so these technologies can be developed and deployed responsibly.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
There’s two areas where we’re seeing clients and businesses really focus at the moment; AI/data and Cyber. There’s a bit of a sense that the pace of development in these areas is leaving businesses exposed to risk, either to cybersecurity issues and/or being left behind by the competition. Businesses are therefore looking to invest to try and plug these gaps.
AI is possibly over capitalised, but the whole industry is currently, rightfully, receiving continuous investment.
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside of the office?
I enjoy sailing when I can and also love classic cars, both maintaining them and driving them. I’ll be doing the Motor Cycling Club 24hr Land’s End trial, which spans 243 miles, for the fourth time over Easter this year.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
It’s not so much a career decision, but I decided initially to do Physics at University, before discovering that computer science was far more interesting. As a result, I actually dropped out and went back to do a maths and education degree, with the intention of becoming a teacher.
But I sometimes think these things happen for a reason and a lot of what influences me through my business career is having a very diverse range of experiences. The other day, I tried counting how many businesses, boards and start-ups I’ve been involved in running and it’s between 18 and 20 (lots failed fast!). Each of those experiences has taught me something and I’m constantly learning.
