As a trained clinical psychologist, Hope Lukoto’s journey into the technology sector may not have followed the usual routes. But it has made her passionate about how much technology can transform business and how employees feel valued and engaged. 

Having recently joined BCX as the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), she brings a passion for problem-solving, a keen interest in coaching leaders in transition, and a commitment to engaging employees. 

“I didn’t start out in technology. My first role was at Deloitte, then I went to BMW,” she says. “It was at BMW that I discovered the impact of technology on innovation as I saw what went into the development of a car. I then moved on to FNB and discovered how technology can expand reach and change how business is done. This gave me the confidence I needed to enter the IT sector.” 

Lukoto is inspired by the mercurial nature of the technology industry, the convergence of different industries and how technology influences market and demand. For her, the industry is one of the most dynamic, constantly breaking with what is considered traditional or normal to create something entirely new and unexpected. 

“We’re living in a fluid space. What we thought worked yesterday has morphed into something else entirely today,” she adds. “In the HR space, this is no different. We are looking for technologies and solutions that allow us to solve problems and respond to market changes with agility.” 

For Lukoto, it’s critical that this be reflected in how BCX sources and nurtures its talent. She believes that it’s crucial to create opportunities and to show people what the company has done and how the company approaches mentoring and coaching. 

When asked how her role can fundamentally shift the gender dynamic in the technology industry, she says: “We need more networks, and we need to support each other. We must remember to hold the door open for the women who come behind us, just as the door was held open for us.” 

Lukoto is passionate about giving women equal opportunities in the technology sector by allowing them to thrive in the new, customer-centric realm of technology development and delivery. She’s also focused on how this technology can change the way HR systems engage with people and their careers. 

“At BCX, we enable employee experiences and performance,” she says. “We’re focused on creating opportunities that recognise how people learn and how they want to work. We want to help people feel that they add value and that we add value to them. There are no clear answers and that’s the best part – technology is changing everything, but we can experiment, try new things and look at different ways of doing things.” 

In 2019, Lukoto is getting ready for the arrival of a new artificial intelligence solution and finding new ways in which the company can enable employees and their value. The goal is to stay relevant so the company can remain competitive and agile with an engaged and inspired workforce.