Ricky El-Qasem

Global CTO • Digital Technology & Business Leader • US/EU patent holder in cloud automation

I help leaders turn technology into business advantage, aligning strategy, investment, and execution across cloud, AI, automation, and modern platforms.

About Ricky

I’m a Global CTO and board-level technology advisor based in Manchester, working with enterprises to modernise platforms, scale innovation, and de-risk major technology decisions. My style is pragmatic and business-centric: I translate complex engineering topics into executive language, align stakeholders, and drive outcomes.

Across 30+ years in enterprise IT and productisation, I’ve led global teams through cloud and datacentre transformation, application platforming, DevOps, and automation,often in high-stakes environments. At Atos, I’ve held multiple global CTO roles and helped shape technology roadmaps, partner strategy, R&D governance, and thought leadership.

I hold a US patent (US 11,656,601 B2) for an innovation in cloud automation that removes barriers to adoption,reflecting my focus on making advanced technology usable, scalable, and commercially meaningful.

What I’m known for

Executive-level clarity

I simplify complex technology choices into decision-ready options for boards and senior leadership,balancing risk, cost, speed, and long-term value.

Technology strategy & roadmaps

Defining and defending roadmaps that connect architecture to business outcomes, investment rationale, and measurable delivery plans.

Cloud, AI & automation leadership

Hands-on credibility across cloud, edge, AI, DevOps, and automation,bringing modern engineering practices into real enterprise constraints.

Innovation and R&D governance

Building portfolios that make innovation repeatable: horizon scanning, partner alignment, funding governance, and turning ideas into market-ready solutions.

Influence without friction

A collaborative leadership style that aligns stakeholders, accelerates consensus, and moves programmes forward without noise.

Mentoring senior technologists

Developing high-performing architects and engineers, and helping emerging leaders operate at executive altitude.

Career highlights

Global CTO, Technology Services (Atos): Shaping technology strategy and roadmap across Cloud, Edge, AI, Automation, DevOps, and Application Modernisation; supporting growth via partner cadence, thought leadership, and R&D governance.
Global CTO, Resources & Services (Atos): Led multi-industry technology agenda (Telco, Retail, Transport, Logistics, Hospitality, Energy & Utilities, Oil & Gas, Water) and secured significant R&D funding for innovation initiatives.
Head of Datacentre Transformation & Application Platforming (Atos): Led global practices delivering customised private cloud, cloud, and PaaS/DevOps solutions; drove large-scale architecture work for major telco environments.
Principal Cloud Technologist & Automation Leader (Atos): Visionary behind first Private Cloud as-a-Service; established service propositions and guided client adoption of software-defined and “X as a Service” models.
Earlier leadership: Technical Director (EMEA), Director of Global Education Services, Professional Services Manager, and senior engineering roles across vendor and services organisations.

Credentials: AWS Architect Associate, VMware VCP (and vExpert), RedHat (RHCT/Ansible), Citrix certifications, and ~120 certificates across my career.

Writing & community

I share practical guidance for CTOs and senior technologists,covering technology roadmaps, AI adoption, and modern engineering practices. You’ll also find open work on GitHub and a selection of published articles and checklists.