John Suffolk, currently the head of Criminal Justice IT, is to take over as the government's chief information officer.

His appointment was announced by Cabinet Office minister Jim Murphy.

Suffolk will lead the work of the CIO Council in implementing the Transformational Government strategy and head up the e-Government Unit. A Cabinet Office spokesperson told Government Computing News he will move into the position in early June, and report to Ian Watmore, the previous holder of the position who is now head of the prime minister's Delivery Unit.

A statement said 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.

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. "

Suffolk has been director general of Criminal Justice IT (CJIT) since February 2004. Prior to that he worked in financial services, including a spell as managing director of the Britannia building society, and has worked on IT and transformation programmes.

Watmore said: "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."

This article was originally published at Kablenet.

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