The CIO 100 is compiled each year to reveal the most transformative CIOs in the
UK business economy. CIOs that are driving business change, process improvement,
enabling greater collaboration and innovating in new market opportunities join this
exclusive group each year. The technology strategies of the CIOs and their achievements
and ambitions towards transformation are judged in comparison to their IT sourcing
strategies and vendor influence. The CIOs with the most transformative vision are
also judged on their place within the business; and whether they put technology
into the board level position and discussion.
Created in 2001, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the largest government department. It was formed from the merger of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security. Head of the department is the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the Cabinet. DWP’s budget for the year 2011 to 2012 was £151.6 billion; about 28 per cent of the UK government’s spending. As a result the department spends a larger share of the UK national wealth than any other department.
IT Leader: Joe Harley, director general for Corporate IT, DWP and Government CIO
In role since: Seven years at DWP, one year as Government CIO
Reporting line: Reports to Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Ian Watmore and DWP Permanent Secretary Robert Devereux
IT budget: He has carved £1.5 billion from operational costs at the DWP.
IT estate and or number of log on accounts under the control of the IT leader: 140,000
Primary technology suppliers: HP
Significant strategic technology deals been struck in the last 12 months: Two major software deals with HP signed in October 2011, covering a core benefits system and departmental application support
Strategic aim of the CIO and IT operations for the next financial year: Created and published a transformational ICT Strategy, along with plans of how it will be implemented
Part one of the CIO UK interview series with the new cross governmental CTO
The government is scrapping the cross-government CIO role. Since the coalition took office in 2010 there has been a significant level of CIO churn in Whitehall. Liam Maxwell, currently the Government CTO, has risen through the ranks and is considered to be a major reformer. CIO UK met with Maxwell recently to discuss a wide range of issues, including the politics of his role, the Government Digital Service, G-Cloud, SME vendors and – of course – cuts.
Howard Shiplee is the fourth person to lead the troubled programme in just six months
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has hired Howard Shiplee, executive director at construction company Laing O’Rourke, to lead delivery on the troubled Universal Credit programme.
Troubled IT project has faced a number of challenges in recent weeks
When the early rollout of Universal Credit begins next month in Manchester and Cheshire most of the benefit calculations will be done manually, rather than using the system being developed by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), according to sources close to the situation.
Moer change at top as Hilary Reynolds' responsibilities are assumed by David Pitchford
Programme director of Universal Credit at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Hilary Reynolds, has stepped down from her responsibilities and ‘moved on to other work’ within the department after just four months.
Department will analyse claimants’ shares to establish benefit entitlement
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is planning to hook up to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to analyse share price information so that it can accurately assess the earnings of those claiming income-related state benefits.
Can Universal Credit reboot government IT project perceptions?
Difficult times for Universal Credit policy and IT. DWP and its CIO must challenge business and user outcomes in the Universal Credit testing phase. CIO UK and experts discuss
