Joe Harley to retire

Joe Harley to retire

CIO for the Department for Work and Pensions and the government to leave next year

Joe Harley, the chief information officer (CIO) for the Department for Work and Pensions and the government, is to retire in 2012.

After more than seven years in his role at the DWP and one year as government CIO he will leave the civil service next spring.

In a statement, the DWP said the process to recruit his successor at the department will begin immediately. The Cabinet Office will run a separate recruitment process for the new government CIO, along with the process to replace Bill McCluggage, the deputy government CIO.

Ministers thanked Harley for his contribution. Francis Maude, minister for the Cabinet Office, said: "Joe has played an integral role in the past year whilst as government CIO he has led the delivery of a new ICT strategy and strategic implementation plan.

"These will ensure that the old siloed way of developing government ICT projects comes to an end, and leaves us with all departments working together to produce a fit-for-purpose and cost effective ICT system potentially saving £1.4bn over the next four years."

Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, said Harley has been instrumental in building reform and modernising the department's approach to technology.

"Joe leaves us with our highest regards having ensured this government is well-placed to deliver major reform in the future," said Duncan Smith.