Vodafone Business’ CTO Justin Shields Joins du as CIO

Justin Shields has joined du, one of the leading telecommunications operators in the UAE, as its Chief Information Officer (CIO). 

With more than 25 years of experience driving technology innovation and operational excellence at global organisations such as Vodafone and Accenture, Justin’s appointment will propel du’s mission to lead the next wave of digital transformation across the UAE’s connectivity landscape.

Introducing Justin Shields, CIO of du

Justin joins du following an extensive career spanning leadership roles across multiple continents. 

At Vodafone Business, he spearheaded enterprise technology initiatives focused on network modernisation, digital service delivery and large-scale IT transformation. 

As well as this, his earlier years at Accenture equipped him with deep expertise in consulting, systems integration and cloud strategy, helping blue-chip clients reshape their technology ecosystems for fast-changing markets.

Justin is widely recognised across tech and telecoms for his ability to align technology investments with long-term business goals – balancing innovation with reliability. 

His leadership at Vodafone was characterised by transforming legacy IT infrastructure into agile, cloud-native environments, directly supporting the company’s global digital strategy and improving customer experience across multiple markets.

Announcing his appointment, du says: “We’re delighted to welcome Justin Shields as our new Chief Information Officer.

“With over 25 years of leadership experience at Vodafone and Accenture, Justin will play a key role in driving innovation and shaping our organisation’s digital transformation journey.”

du’s next phase of tech growth

As CIO, Justin will oversee du’s information technology strategy, architecture and operational performance, with a focus on embedding digital innovation across every layer of the business. 

His role will involve steering initiatives around cloud transformation, automation, cybersecurity and AI-driven analytics – technologies that underpin du’s efforts to enhance agility, efficiency and customer value.

As telecoms are evolving into technology service providers, du’s transformation strategy hinges on robust technology governance and next-generation IT practices.

Justin’s expertise in digital infrastructure will be instrumental in shaping du’s data-driven operational model, enabling smarter decision-making and more personalised digital services for customers.

By combining his international perspective with du’s dynamic local market position, Justin is expected to strengthen the company’s capacity for rapid innovation and technology resilience – two critical enablers in today’s fast-evolving digital economy.

Uniting people, purpose and technology

As du transforms, Justin will also focus on building digital talent and operational agility across the organisation. 

By strengthening IT governance and cross-functional collaboration, his leadership will ensure technology initiatives deliver sustained business outcomes.

Central to this will be cultivating a “customer-first” mindset in du’s technology strategy, prioritising secure, reliable and seamless digital experiences for both individuals and enterprises.

Speaking at GITEX last year, du’s CEO Fahad Al Hassawi says: “The emphasis on innovation, customer-centricity and sustainable growth highlights du's determination to not only lead in the digital market but also to achieve notable growth.

“The focus remains squarely on driving innovation, delivering exceptional customer experiences and realising sustainable growth, leveraging technological advancements and strategic initiatives.”

du is confident that Justin’s strategic approach will help maintain momentum as a technology-first brand, reshaping how digital services are designed, delivered and scaled in the UAE.