About Us

Who We Are

craftscale is led by Ian Smith, bringing 23 years of technology and innovation leadership experience from IBM to your business challenges. I founded craftscale with a simple belief: technology should enhance and accelerate your business, not complicate it.

What drives me is seeing ideas transform into tangible solutions that create real business value. Throughout my career at IBM, I specialized in bridging the gap between complex technical possibilities and practical business applications – a skill I now bring directly to craftscale clients.

My Approach

I believe in genuine partnership. When you work with craftscale, you're not getting generic consulting – you're getting a committed technical ally who emotionally invests in your success. I communicate complex technical concepts in business terms without unnecessary jargon. My focus remains on practical solutions that work, not just what's trendy in technology. I approach your challenges with an ownership mentality, treating them with the same care and attention I would give my own business.

This hands-on, invested approach has earned the trust of clients who regularly invite me to represent their technology initiatives at industry events and rely on my guidance for critical business decisions. Whether discussing architectural choices or product strategy, I bring both perspective and practicality to the conversation.

Beyond Technology

My perspectives on technology are shaped by interests beyond code and systems. I co-host the What A Lot Of Things podcast, exploring technology from a human perspective and examining how innovation intersects with daily life. This broader view informs how I approach technical challenges – always with an eye toward human impact and practical outcomes.

I also support the Innovation Thinking & Practice module at Leeds University Business School, helping nurture the next generation of technology leaders. This teaching experience continually refreshes my thinking and keeps me connected to emerging trends and perspectives.

My experience has taught me that the most powerful technology solutions come from understanding both technical possibilities and human needs – a perspective I bring to every craftscale engagement. Technology exists to serve people and businesses, not the other way around, and this philosophy guides all my work.