WIREDGOV

Jim Murphy, Cabinet Office Minister, today announced the appointment of John Suffolk as the Government Chief Information Officer (CIO). John will lead the work of the CIO Council* in delivering the Government's strategy for the transformation of public services, enabled by technology.

In this role, John Suffolk will provide leadership to the IT Profession across the wider public sector, enable public service transformation through the strategic deployment of technology, drive the development of shared services and act as the 'face' of UK Government IT both home and abroad. He will take up this post in early June.

Jim Murphy said: "The Government CIO is a high profile post at the centre of Government.

"I am delighted to announce John Suffolk has been appointed to this post as I believe he has the necessary drive, experience and leadership qualities to fill this pivotal role - a role in which he will be expected to play an important part in realising the government's vision for public service reform. "

John will move up from his current position as Director General of Criminal Justice IT (CJIT). He was appointed to this post in February 2004. He has a background of over 25 years' experience in IT and major transformation programmes. John has worked in the financial service industries and has extensive experience in delivering IT-enabled change.

John Suffolk's appointment was made with the approval of the Prime Minister. He will report to Ian Watmore, the Head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit and former Government CIO.

Ian Watmore added: "I am very pleased to welcome John into this role. After a successful career in the financial services sector, he has been an influential member of the CIO Council from its inception, through his leadership role on Criminal Justice IT. This combination of public and private sector experience makes him ideally equipped to lead the implementation of the Transformational Government strategy to enable the delivery of better, more efficient, public services."

The Transformational Government Strategy was launched in November 2005. It sets out the Government's vision for a long-term transformation of public services to provide efficient, effective services designed around the needs of citizens and businesses.

Notes to Editors
1. The Transformational Government Strategy is available at www.cio.gov.uk

2. The Implementation Plan setting out how the Strategy will be realised was published on 29 March 2006 and is also available at www.cio.gov.uk

3. The CIO Council acts as a focus for partnership between IT professionals across government and the wider public sector and is charged with creating and delivering a government-wide CIO agenda. The Government CIO is Chair of the Council. www.cio.gov.uk

Cabinet Office Press Office 70 Whitehall LONDON SW1A 2AS www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk