Chief Digital Information Officer
Job summary
Lead one of the NHS's most ambitious digital transformations.
Digital is transforming healthcare. The opportunity is to ensure it transforms lives.
At Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), we have made significant progress. We have, invested in new clinical facilities, successfully implemented our Electronic Patient Record and continue to improve the quality, safety and experience of care for the diverse communities we serve. Today, more than 8,000 colleagues at BHRUT care for over one million people across North East London.
Now we are looking for an exceptional Chief Digital Information Officer to help shape what comes next.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is one of the most influential digital leadership roles in the NHS. As a member of the Executive Team, you will help shape the future of our organisation--ensuring digital, data, technology and artificial intelligence become fundamental enablers of outstanding patient care, operational excellence and long-term sustainability.
This is far more than a technology leadership role. It is an opportunity to position BHRUT as a recognised leader in digital healthcare across North East London and the wider NHS.
Main duties of the job
Who we're looking for We're seeking an exceptional executive leader who combines strategic vision with operational delivery.
You will have experience leading complex digital transformation within a large organisation, influencing Boards and Executive Teams, and delivering measurable organisational improvement through digital, data and technology.
Most importantly, you'll understand that successful transformation starts with people.
You'll be someone who inspires confidence, builds trusted relationships with clinicians and colleagues, and creates an environment where innovation is encouraged, evidence-based and focused on improving patient care.
Whether your experience has been gained within the NHS or another complex, highly regulated organisation, you'll bring the leadership, credibility and ambition needed to help shape the future of healthcare.
The Opportunity Our Electronic Patient Record has established a strong digital foundation. Your challenge will be to help us build on that success.
You will shape our Digital, Data and AI Strategy, strengthen cyber resilience, optimise our digital platforms and ensure technology becomes an enabler of safer, simpler and more effective care. Strengthening regional partnerships and system collaboration will be a core way of working.
About us
We're an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we're proud of and our patients are happy with.
They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record (we were the last acute trust in London to introduce one) and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission.
We operate from two main sites - KGH in Goodmayes and Queen's Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 people visiting them last year. We're campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen's and get rid of corridor care.
We're proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We're also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance.
We run a Women's Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George's Health and Wellbeing Hub. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The majority of our 8,400 staff - who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We're proud to be a London Living Wage employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Why BHRUT? This is a Trust with momentum.
We've made significant progress, but we're ambitious about what comes next.
You'll join an Executive Team committed to improvement, collaboration and innovation, working in one of the UK's most diverse and dynamic healthcare systems.
You'll have the opportunity to: Shape the future of one of London's largest acute NHS trusts. Lead a talented and committed Digital, Data and Informatics workforce. Influence digital strategy across North East London. Harness the potential of AI responsibly to improve care. Deliver meaningful improvements for patients, staff and our communities. Leave a lasting legacy in one of the NHS's most important digital leadership roles.
Join us This is a rare opportunity to lead digital transformation at scale.
If you believe digital technology should make healthcare safer, simpler and more human and you have the vision, courage and leadership to make that happen we would be delighted to hear from you.
Together, we'll shape the future of healthcare in North East London.
If you have any questions about the application process, require support in completing your application, or need any adjustments (for example, due to a disability), please contact Bali Dhani, Recruitment Manager via email Balvinder.dhani@nhs.net or 01708 435000 ext. 5718.
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Fiona Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer (Interim) fiona.wheeler@nhs.net Closing date: 23 August 2026 Interview date: 7 September 2026
Person Specification
Education
- Professional qualification in IT or Informatics or IM&T or equivalent to demonstrate subject matter expertise
Skills/ Abilities
- Demonstrable executive leadership across organisational boundaries
- Evidence of creating organisational cultures that embrace digital transformation
- Track record of delivering measurable improvements in quality, productivity and financial sustainability through digital
Experience/ Knowledge
- Demonstrable evidence of leadership experience gained in an organisation of scale and complexity, with experience of working at or near Board level or with Board colleagues
- Evidence of having delivered system-wide digital change in a challenging, multi-stakeholder environment, with the capability to work in close collaboration with clinical and service line leaders
- Track record in leading and developing digital and information strategies in complex, customer oriented environments as well as experience of managing substantial revenue and capital budgets
- Experience of the delivery of a complex digital strategy (both technical and delivery focused) in a medium/large organisation (preferably within healthcare)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Across Site
Romford
RM7 0AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/