Why is Shell's Robi Gone Joining IFS as CIO?

Industrial AI leader IFS has named Robi Gone as Chief Information Officer, underscoring a decisive push to deepen its global technology transformation and accelerate AI-driven innovation.

The leadership transition, effective immediately, places enterprise-scale execution at the heart of IFS’ strategy as it supports rapid growth across asset-intensive industries.

Robi succeeds Helena Nimmo, who is retiring after a tenure defined by IT modernisation, security strengthening and advocacy for diversity and inclusion.

Appointed directly to the Executive Board and reporting to CEO Mark Moffat, the new CIO will shape a next‑generation IT agenda designed to mirror the cloud-native, data-rich solutions IFS delivers to clients.

Since taking the helm in 2024, Mark has sharpened IFS’ focus on industrial AI, customer value realisation and scale.

Bringing in a CIO with deep experience orchestrating complex, global transformations is a logical next step in that plan.

Robi Gone's career in information

Over more than a decade at Shell, most recently as IT Global GM for Finance, Robi led finance technology transformation in one of the world’s largest, most complex enterprises.

He stewarded the rollout of next-generation ERP platforms, modern performance management systems and extensive SaaS standardisation, while designing the digital backbones that underpin real-time decision making and operational excellence.

Prior to Shell, he built consulting credentials at Deloitte and Accenture, advising major organisations on digital enterprise transformation and SAP delivery.

At IFS, Robi’s mandate is clear: scale the company’s internal digital foundation at the same pace as its market-leading innovation.

That means modernising core platforms, unifying data for AI at scale, hardening cyber resilience and evolving operating models and talent to support product-speed delivery.

The goal is to convert strategy into measurable outcomes: faster value realisation for employees and customers, simplified processes and a resilient technology estate that can flex with growth.

Welcoming the appointment, Mark said: “I am delighted to welcome Robi to IFS. His expertise in leading enterprise transformation at Shell and building large-scale digital platforms will be instrumental as we continue to modernise and scale our global IT landscape.

"Robi brings exactly the expertise we need at this stage of our growth.”

He also paid tribute to Helena’s impact in shaping IT strategy, strengthening security and embedding AI across the organisation, alongside her leadership on inclusion.

Commenting on his new role, Robi said, “I am excited to be joining IFS at such a pivotal moment.

"IFS has established itself as the undisputed global leader in Industrial AI and I look forward to ensuring our own technology foundation exemplifies that same innovation: enabling us to scale efficiently while delivering excellence for our people and our customers.”

IT innovation at IFS

Governance will be a hallmark of the new agenda. Expect tighter alignment between IT, product, finance and customer operations; an enterprise data strategy anchored in clear ownership and quality; and pragmatic AI adoption focused on productivity, service excellence and compliance.

With board-level sponsorship, the CIO remit extends beyond systems to shaping operating rhythm, investment choices and measurable value creation.

Taken together, the appointment signals a deliberate alignment of leadership, architecture and execution.

As IFS expands its footprint with cloud-native AI across asset-intensive sectors, the CIO’s seat becomes a growth lever, ensuring the company’s internal platforms, data and ways of working are as advanced as the solutions it brings to market.