DWP likely to announce new CIO this week

MoJ's Andy Nelson may be confirmed as Philip Langsdale's replacement

The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that an announcement on the identity of its new chief information officer (CIO) is imminent.

Without disclosing the details, a spokesperson told Government Computing that an announcement may be made this week.

The smart money suggests that the new CIO, who will replace Philip Langsdale who sadly passed away before Christmas, is likely to be the current CIO at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Andy Nelson, who is also the Government CIO.

A spokesman for Nelson's currently employer, the MoJ, suggested that it was more appropriate for DWP to comment at the moment.

Last week it emerged that Jennifer Rigby, CIO at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is believed to be returning to the Home Office in a senior position.

Other departments where there are believed to have been discussions over future IT and transformation roles include HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

It is understood that there may be as many as 18 departmental CIO posts with open adverts.