Taya Reynolds

I’m passionate about technology and excited to be part of growing the tech talent and community within the region I’ve proudly called home for the past 17 years.

There are many fantastic initiatives, groups, and efforts already underway, presenting a powerful opportunity to align capabilities and shared goals to create even greater impact and real outcomes for the North East which really excites me.

I genuinely enjoy expanding my network and meeting new people in the sector, and I am keen to raise the visibility of tech opportunities and driving future skills and talent in the region.

I joined Hays Travel in January 2025 as Chief Technology Officer, where I oversee the end-to-end technology function for the company, so my day to day is very varied! Travel is an exciting industry – with huge potential to leverage digital and tech solutions to help achieve the ambitions of the business.

I’m genuinely passionate about working in an industry that creates memorable, joyful experiences – we all love to look for, book and go on holiday! Key areas of focus include driving data-driven approach, enhancing the overall customer experience and also improving internal ways of working through smarter use of technology.

I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many talented individuals across the region and learn so much from them. One of the most rewarding aspects is supporting others to grow in their own careers and seeing their successes and taking on new challenges makes me genuinely proud.

At Newcastle Strategic Solutions, I had the opportunity to build and evolve digital and tech capabilities from the ground up. Shaping digital strategy, establishing new ways of working, and supporting teams as they matured. This experience along with seeing the teams succeed in delivering against ambitious digital goals and deliver value is one that stands out and one I reflect on with fond memories.

I am also very proud to have been part of establishing and Chairing the Newcastle Building Society’s first Race Network, actively driving visibility, awareness and education to elevate the DE&I agenda and focus.

I find it valuable to learn through the experiences of others within my network by understanding their journeys in implementing emerging technologies, the outcomes and value. Understanding what has worked well, challenges and impact is valuable for the bigger picture in what innovation looks like in practice.

I also regularly listen to tech and business podcasts, enjoy lots of reading, and attend events focused on topics that interest me.

Outside of work, I am a true fitness and wellness fanatic and I thrive on a physical challenge – I love Pilates and high intensity workouts.

I love to learn and I am passionate about art and music. I also enjoy true crime and business related podcasts and hiking in the Lake District with my husband and dog.

1. Dynamo presents a centralised technology ecosystem that offers a valuable network to engage with. I would encourage making use of this collective strength and skillset to amplify initiatives you are leading.

2. It offers a strong and growing platform to enhance your own visibility and build relationships within the tech community.

3. There is also a role for you to play in contributing to the regional growth – whether it’s through supporting other tech teams, leveraging talent or collaborating with other businesses.