As we bid farewell to 2024, Intelligent Pathways’ CEO Peter Robertson shares his reflections on the year’s challenges, achievements, and opportunities looking ahead to 2025.
Reflecting on the year, could you summarise 2024 in one or two words and why?
Long game.
2024 has been about persistence and trusting our direction. We’re confident in our strategy and goals, even though the journey has had its challenges. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day turbulence, but when you step back and look at the bigger picture, our progress over the past year is clear. Staying focused and resilient has led to steady and meaningful results.
How did Intelligent Pathways adapt to changing market or client needs this year?
Adapting to change is second nature for us, given how quickly the technology landscape evolves. We continually assess trends, emerging software, and innovative solutions to stay ahead. This year, AI has been a major focus. We’ve taken a three-pronged approach: exploring how we can leverage AI internally, helping our clients harness its potential, and identifying solutions we can scale and take to market. Every year, and especially every few years, our business evolves significantly from a technology perspective. Constant refinement and alignment are at the core of how we operate, enabling us to meet new opportunities and challenges effectively.
With our pivot from Data & Analytics to Data & AI services, what excites you most about this shift and the opportunities it brings?
The pivot to data and AI has transformed how we engage. AI sparks curiosity and opens up new possibilities. What excites me most is the opportunity to show that great data is the foundation of AI. Conversations about data and AI shift the focus toward creativity and forward-thinking solutions, allowing for more engaging and impactful discussions with clients.
This year has been characterised by a balance of ambition and caution in the tech landscape. How have you seen this play out in our clients’ approach to digital modernisation?
Absolutely. Especially in the realm of AI, we’re seeing a lot of ambition. Clients are eager to explore game-changing opportunities, stand out as industry leaders, and deliver significant value to their organisations. However, AI represents a major leap, and with it comes considerable risk.
Many clients are focusing on proof-of-concept projects, wanting to test AI’s capabilities before committing to production. This caution is amplified by general market conditions—executives are hesitant to make big financial commitments or move too quickly. It’s often a case of “let’s revisit this in three to six months.” While delays can be frustrating, it reinforces the importance of playing the long game—building confidence, demonstrating value, and staying patient until they’re ready to act.
We’re seeing this cautious mindset extend beyond AI to areas like security. With high-profile breaches making headlines, risk-aversion is at an all-time high. Security concerns and the potential penalties for missteps are key factors in decision-making. This balance of ambition and caution shapes how we guide clients, helping them navigate risks while supporting their drive to innovate.
What do you see as our biggest area of growth for Intelligent Pathways in 2025?
AI is certainly a major focus for us. We’re investing heavily in leveraging AI internally and delivering high-quality services more efficiently, whether in half the time or at a lower cost. We’re already challenging ourselves with clients to achieve this.
That said, I see AI evolving into a standard part of the technology landscape, much like the shift to cloud computing. Today, no one’s impressed by “being in the cloud” because it’s just how things are done. Similarly, AI will eventually become a foundational part of coding and technology. In the meantime, there’s immense opportunity in helping clients navigate AI’s potential, providing repeatable use cases that deliver immediate value.
Beyond AI, our roots as systems integrators remain a powerful element of our service offering. Integration is a core strength of ours, particularly for complex projects where implementing new software isn’t just plug-and-play. Additionally, our work in platforms like Workday is expanding, with potentially significant projects on the horizon. What’s exciting is that more clients are seeking us out, recognising our expertise, and validating the value we provide.
What advice or mindset would you share with the team to carry into the new year?
I keep coming back to the importance of playing the long game. It’s about staying focused, trusting that we’re on the right path, and continuing to move forward with confidence.
We’re seeing progress—the pipeline is growing, conversions are happening, and we’re investing in key areas like expanding our sales capacity. The results might not always be immediate, but by staying the course and maintaining our momentum, the hard work will pay off.
On a personal note, how are you planning to recharge over the summer break?
I’m keeping it simple this year. We’re staying home and enjoying some downtime by the pool. The last few years post-COVID, I’ve done a lot of travel with my family—Europe, Japan, and the UK. It’s been fantastic but also a big investment, so this year we’re taking a break from trips.
The focus is on family time and supporting the kids as they prepare for Year 12. Looking ahead, we’re planning something bigger next year—a trip to the US for my wife’s birthday and daughters’ graduation.
On the work front, I’ll stay connected, helping out with a few things while others are away. I’m not switching off entirely, but I feel focused, steady, and prepared for the year ahead.
Do you have any final thoughts to share?
I’m incredibly grateful. First, to my leadership team, many of whom have been with me for over 10 years. They’re an exceptional group, and I often feel like I’m following them as much as leading, which is exactly how it should be.
I’m also deeply proud of the broader team at Intelligent Pathways. The loyalty we’ve built, with so many in our ‘Club 10’ is remarkable, particularly in a fast-moving industry like technology. It speaks volumes about the culture we’ve created. I’m grateful to everyone who chooses to invest their time, energy, and skills in our business, particularly those who put in big hours or travel away from their families.
Finally, I’d like to thank our clients. Their trust in us to deliver high-quality outcomes is everything. Many of them keep coming back, even as they move between organisations, which is a testament to the value we provide. Knowing that people rely on us repeatedly, across years and even decades, is incredibly rewarding.
At the end of the day, it’s all about good people doing great work. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and grateful to everyone—our team and our clients—who contribute to that success.
