This trusted advisor role is where all IT leaders should aspire to but the path is far from easy as many of Hong Kong's IT elite will testify.

In an effort to acknowledge the skills of this elite, three of Hong Kong's IT leaders were recognized for their excellence at the first Hong Kong CIO Awards program organized by Computerworld Hong Kong and CIO Connect.

Joe Locandro, director of Group IT at CLP was named the overall "CIO of the Year" winner, while Sunny Lee from Hong Kong Jockey Club and Daniel Lai from MTRC both picked up awards for 'Outstanding Achievement" as a CIO.