Mike Potter has been appointed as the new government chief digital officer.
He will take over from Joanna Davinson in the autumn, heading up the Central Digital and Data Office inside the Cabinet Office and reporting to chief operating officer of the Civil Service Alex Chisholm.
Potter is currently with digital consultancy Tecknuovo , before which he had a two-and-a-half-year stint with Thames Water, first as chief technology officer then executive director of digital transformation.
He has had a number of senior Civil Service roles, most recently in 2018-19 and director of EU exit capability in the Cabinet Office.
Previously there were stints in HM Revenue and Customs - first as digital transformation director then director of the Future Borders programme - NHS Blood and Transplant, the Rural Payments Agency and the Environment Agency
He commented: “I’m delighted to be returning to public service at such an important time. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the civil service to continue to grow the digital skills we need for the future and deliver the roadmap for digital and data.”
Further appointment
The Cabinet Office has also announced the appointment of Fiona Ryland as the new government chief people officer, also reporting to Chisholm. She will be joining from University College London where she has been vice president operations and chief operating officer.
Her role will include leading the Civil Service HR function and setting standards on people issues.
