Nominations Open for CGT's 2026 CIO of the Year
Technology is no longer just a support function for consumer goods companies; it is often also the engine that drives growth. For this reason, CGT is proud to announce the kickoff of its CIO of the Year award program, now in its 14th year. The award will recognize an executive leader who can deliver on transformative IT roadmaps in 2026.
This prestigious program honors the trailblazers who don’t just manage IT departments, but overhaul entire business landscapes.
Last year, we honored Neeraj Tolmare, SVP and global CIO at The Coca-Cola Co. Tolmare’s leadership proved that even a 139-year-old global powerhouse can be nimble. By championing AI integration and modernizing legacy infrastructure, he helped redefine what is possible for the Coke system.
Do you know a leader who is making a similar impact today?
Program Details
The CIO of the Year award is given to a chief information officer (or the senior-most tech leader) who has made the greatest demonstrable business impact within their consumer goods organization through the implementation and successful use of technology.
The winner's profile will be published on ConsumerGoods.com in July 2026.
This isn't just a trophy for the shelf; it’s a platform to showcase innovation. The winner will join an elite circle of past honorees recognized for:
- Driving Digital Transformation: Moving the needle on enterprise-wide IT evolution.
- Defining Strategy: Crafting the blueprints for how CG manufacturers compete in a digital-first economy.
- Cultural Leadership: Building world-class IT cultures that attract and retain top-tier talent.
How to Nominate
Don’t let indispensable leadership go unnoticed. If you're a colleague, peer or business partner who is seeing someone worthy of this recognition, fill out the NOMINATION FORM. CIOs doing the hard work of bringing IT into the future are also free to nominate themselves.
There is no limit to the number of entries that entrants may submit.
The award winner must be willing to participate in an emailed Q&A, with the final profile published on ConsumerGoods.com. They will receive an engraved trophy and exclusive invitations to our events.
