Government appoints Deputy CTO to support Liam Maxwell

The government has appointed Magnus Falk as its Deputy Chief Technology Officer, reporting to CTO Liam Maxwell and joining a leadership team tasked with ensuring government technology is in a position to deliver digital public services.

Starting his new post next week, the Cabinet Office said that former Credit Suisse CIO Falk is one of over 100 digital and technology experts brought into government departments during the last 12 months to help drive the UK’s digital transformation.

The Cabinet Office had been looking for a deputy CTO since December 2013 when it first advertised for the post to support Maxwell, stating in the job notice that “many major IT contracts are about about to expire” and that the “technology landscape is swinging our way”.

Falk trained at Sandhurst and started his career as a Captain in the British Army before joining Accenture in 1989. He then moved to Credit Suisse in 1996 and worked his way up the organisation to become managing director and CIO of the bank’s EMEA region – a role he had for more than four years.

The Cabinet Office also announced that Jacqueline Steed will start as chief digital officer at the Student Loans Company next week, taking over from Chris Airey who has been the interim CDO at the SLC since July 7.

Steed was Managing Director and CIO for BT Wholesale, with her move following on from Ministry of Justice CDO Paul Shetler and Department for Work and Pensions CDO Kevin Cunnington as executive digital appointments in Whitehall.

Discussing the high-profile hires, Executive Director of Digital in the Cabinet Office Mike Bracken said: “The transformation of government digital services, and the technology that underpins it, is a compelling proposition.

“By creating an environment in which this kind of change can happen, Government is now able to attract technical experts who want to do work that matters.”

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: “As part of our long-term economic plan, bringing in digital and technology experience and expertise is just one of the ways in which we are creating a world-class, 21st century Civil Service capable of leading change and delivering the best for Britain.”