Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation

Candidate Opportunity Brief

Position: Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation

Reporting to: Chief Innovation Officer

Confidentiality: N/A

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

• Rail & Transportation  
• Civils & Construction  
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain
• Technology & Cyber Security  
• Logistics & Intermodal Freight  
• Defence  

Our search directors, search consultants and in house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management.

Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment - Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution.

We have been exclusively appointed on a retained search for a Head of Innovation & Digital Transformation.

Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Research Manager of Executive Search & Principal Consultant and the CIO of our client.

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements:

As an organisation, we are at the forefront of innovation within the rail industry, embracing new ways of working and establishing ourselves as a UK transport leader in AI, Machine Learning, Automation, and Operational excellence, through technology and data-driven decision-making.

This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation that will be leading the way for the whole industry, redefining operating models, improving performance, reducing cost and providing the best service for our customers.

As Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation, you will be at the heart of our mission. You will lead digital transformation across customer experience, operations, technology, and commercial strategy, and represent us across industry, government, and public forums to drive the wider sector’s transformation agenda.

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• Working with stakeholders at a top level, instilling trust, credibility and leading adoption of the digital transformation journey.
• Winning the ‘Hearts and Minds’ of all employees within the business, starting from the bottom up, taking people on the behavioural change journey and working through ‘push back’ or hesitations.
• Playing an integral role in the company that is leading the way in embracing innovation and what this looks like in the future rail landscape. Understanding that as this scales, it will come with increased governance and “red tape” 

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Delivering against the automation strategy and ensuring the business is on track for the treasury target of £50m savings over a 3-year period.
• Working across the business to ensure company-wide adoption of new technology and continued elevation of the business's digital culture.
• Ensuring that the technology is driving operational and service delivery performance and continuing to look at what needs to change to be a more efficient organisation (Automation, AI and Machine Learning

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Proven experience in driving and leading successful digital transformation with a focus on Automation, AI and Machine learning solutions. (We are open to an individual’s industry background, with a preference for those from public-facing service environments.

Demonstrable experience leading technical teams (3+ direct reports) with the ability to set strategy while maintaining team motivation and focus.

Strong commercial acumen, understanding how digital transformation has a direct financial impact.

Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills – able to influence at all levels (Bottom to top) and sell the “story”.

A technical qualification is not needed for the role, but it is essential that the candidate is able to understand digital solutions

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Resilience - able to push forward with good momentum even when facing setbacks.

Drive – understands the importance of digital transformation and has a passion for driving change whilst pushing a business into the future.

Inspirational – ability to bring people on the journey and get them excited about what innovation can enable them to do.

Pragmatic & Dynamic – able to think ‘outside the box’ and focus on solutions, not problems.

Executive maturity – ability to operate at a senior level and drive change from a top level.

Working Arrangements & Location:

3 days per week at either site, London or York office, with occasional travel expected across the route. 2 days working from home available.

Search Timescale Agreement

Stage

Agreed Date

Situational Discovery (Role Scoping Meeting)

Completed – 10th Feb 2026

Timescale Agreement & Delivery Plan - Issued to Client

Completed – 11th Feb 2026

Candidate Opportunity Briefing Document – Client Sign Off

In process – 12th Feb 2026

Search ‘Go Live’

11th Feb 2026

Mid-Search Review / Progress Update Meeting with Client

25th Feb 2026

Shortlist Presentation & Review Meeting with Client.

6th Mar 2026

First Stage interviews between Candidates & Client.

WC  9th Mar 2026

Psychometric Assessment (If applicable)

N/A

Final Stage Interviews between Candidates & Client

WC 23rd Mar 2026

Decision to offer successful candidate

27th Mar 2026

Likely Candidate Start Date

3-month notice

Mid Notice Engagement Session between Candidate & Client

May 2026

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process:

• First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion. NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared.
• Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on suitability. Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV.
• The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations.

Client Interview Process:  

• 1st Stage interview: Remote interview with CIO and a Head of Department – competency-based with questions relating to subject matter.
• 2nd Stage interview: Face-to-face interview with CIO and a Director – Presentation task - TBC

Good to know:

• The Head of Innovation and Business Transformation reports into the Chief Innovation Officer.
• This opportunity has arisen due to the current Head of Innovation & Business Transformation leaving the business in March.
• The previous incumbent put exceptional foundations in place to successfully navigate what can be a very governance-heavy industry.
• This individual will have indirect leadership of a team of 35 across Machine Learning, Innovation and AI. Part of a wider team of 120 across the Digital division. Team culture is one that is dynamic, driven, supportive and creative. There will be a focus on continuing to develop team resilience and empowering them to embrace accountability.
• The client have a culture of openness and transparency, which will support the mission of this role.
• We are particularly looking for those who can display strong ‘leadership’ throughout the business and work diligently to lead from the front and build strong relationships at all levels
• The client is an industry-leading train operator that is at the forefront of digital adoption and setting the standard within the industry.  
• This is a newer role within the business that was created c. 5 years ago and has seen great success, particularly over the last 2 years.
• The role involves close stakeholder relationships internally and externally with the likes of GBRX, DfTO and specialist suppliers.
• This role is integral to helping the business continue their digital journey and successfully navigate into the future with a focus on how to scale out into the wider industry.
• Implementing and driving the digital roadmap, ensuring that ML, Automation and AI enable the business to meet ‘Treasury targets”
• This role will involve partnering with 3rd parties that include suppliers, start-ups and universities to provide digital solutions as well as products developed in-house.

Key Competencies & Responsibilities:

Strategic Transformation Leadership

• Lead and deliver digital transformation across customer experience, operations, technology, and commercial strategy to drive over £50m in value over 3 years
• Identify, design and own the multi-year transformation roadmap and wherever relevant across DFTO and wider industry
• Lead and deliver organisational performance improvements and business model reinvention including technology led Target Operating Model (TOM) and present Organisational Re-design opportunities.
• Lead strategic alignment and collaborate across all directorates and influence Board-level decisions.
• Represent the company externally in industry, media and public platforms to shape transport innovation policy.
• Build and lead a team of 40 (FTE, FTC, and Contract as appropriate) people across Machine Learning, Innovation, Automation, and Technology transformation, to design and enable the business and wider industry to drive efficiency, product proposition, and commercial benefit to ensure the organisations future success.

AI, Automation and Data Innovation

• Lead and deliver the companies enterprise AI strategy and industrialise applied machine learning and AI to improve commercial impact, cost avoidance, safety, performance and customer outcomes.
  Build and lead the in-house ML team (10+ staff) and vendors to deploy AI products and frameworks with industry leading ROI, £50m+ over 3 years.
• Lead the in-House and near shore Automation teams (6+ staff), and 4 external suppliers and their teams. 
• Direct automation and digital workforce strategy, delivering £4-6m+ benefit p.a. from RPA, low-code and intelligent agents.
• Launch IP-generating innovation pilots and POCs with potential for industry-wide replication.
• Successful delivery of the always-on Accelerator Programme Future Labs matching our industry challenges across DFTO, with innovative solutions, to continue to innovate and move the industry forward.

Customer and Operational Transformation

• Lead a generational digital operational performance system and process transformation – including AI-led disruption response management, Real time Live train tracking and planning, asset monitoring, and safety planning.
• Direct the technology strategy for Customer Contact Transformation Programme in the Customer Contact Centre, targeting £7m+ benefit over 3 years.
• Automate delay repay, complaints and contact management
• Ensure all solutions are designed to benefit wider industry and collaborate across DFTO and Network Rail to leverage wider opportunity wherever possible.

Governance, Culture and People Leadership

• Influence the Board, and Senior Leadership team(s), including the Exec Leadership Team (ELT) and Business Leaderships Team (BLT), to support the case for change and transformation, and enable the business to deliver against our vision, annual plans, and unlock benefits through Transformation.
• Directly manage the Machine Learning lead, Machine learning technical lead, Lead Innovation manager, Senior Automation and Contact Centre transformation programme managers, to ensure a high performing, high quality, delivery focussed team across the five functional areas of responsibility
• Lead a cross-functional workforce transformation programme (digital skills, culture, and capability).
• Establish governance, risk and ethical oversight for AI, innovation, and automation at scale.
  Act as Sponsor of the Future Labs programme, driving external collaboration and startup engagement.

Budget:

Low: £105,(Apply online only) Mid: £110,(Apply online only) High: £115,(Apply online only)

Supporting benefits

• Private healthcare and Flexible Benefits Scheme
• Defined Benefits pension scheme – 6.6% employee contribution, 9.9% employer contribution
• Unlimited First-class leisure travel for employee, partner and children on services (plus a limited amount of 1st class travel boxes for your guests)
• 1st class duty and residential travel for the employee on services
• Up to 75% off leisure other train companies for the employee, partner and children
• Up to 50% discount on own companies’ services for friends and family (200 tickets a year)
• Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Additional Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
• Health and wellbeing support and appointments where required

Executive Search Delivery Team:

• Billy Jackson – Principal Consultant:  Client & Opportunity Management, Client Advisory, Recommendations & Offer Negotiation.
• Oliver Nunn – Research Manager:  Longlisting, Networking, Research & Search, Interviews, Data & Market Intel & shortlist presentation.
• Ralitza Kuziva - Executive Assistant: Diary Management, Interview Coordination & Candidate Experience.

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search are that of an executive search and talent advisory business.