As CIO/IT Director of Safeway Stores Plc, Mike Winch is responsible for Safeway's policy on IT investment and, supported by the board, makes all strategic purchasing decisions. He enjoys the highest possible respect in the industry for his judgment and his creativity as well as his business focus. As a result he also enjoys the approbation of his main board colleagues who view much of Safeway's strength in the market as having been built on Mike's ability to harness IT for business benefit.