Alex Butler

CIO | CDTO | COO | NED | Digital, Data & AI Strategy | Mission led | Proper Human | Unicorn Ninja Guru

London, England, United Kingdom

About

I don't fit neatly into any one specialist box because I'm the result of a varied career across sector, industries and specialisms. Because of that experience, I'm able to influence at every level - from technologists to C-Suite. People say that I'm 'energetic, dedicated and utterly determined'​. I'm certainly prepared to challenge the status quo looking for better ways to do business. When I asked my friends and colleagues where they thought my strengths were, they said - I help make the complex simple - I look outside of my sector to bring innovation inside my organisation. - I'm an authentic, open and generous leader - I am completely obsessed with building resilient and diverse teams. Sectors I Work In: Public services, social care, transport, infrastructure, media, education, membership, regulated sectors, housing, government arms-length bodies What I can do for you: How I help - Turnaround & stabilisation of digital and operational delivery - AI, data and technology strategy with integrity & impact - Leading through ambiguity — federated, regulated or constrained systems - Designing future operating models that serve users better - Making transformation sustainable — not just deliverable How am I different? - I'm passionately creative. I don’t do mediocre. - I'm a firm believer in using data to drive change. - I'm pragmatic. I can work with the tools that I have. - I'm entrepreneurial - I never see closed avenues. - I'm experienced. I’ve worked alongside government ministers and directly into CEOs and I’m used to complex stakeholder environments. - I'm resilient. As a result of working in start ups and navigating complex, big organisations, I can deal with most situations. In 2024 I won a coveted place at number 22 in the CIO100 list together with an industry award for my work in ESG. I was nominated by a public vote to join the BIMA's Hot 100 list for 2015.

Experience

  • Director, Digital Data and Technology at Sport England
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Independent Governor at Royal Agricultural University
    Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

  • Director Technology and Transformation at United Response
    Nov 2024 - Jul 2025 · 9 mos

    Appointed to lead digital transformation in a complex, federated care provider supporting people with learning disabilities and autism. Defined and delivered a clear digital vision, building leadership confidence and investing in new capabilities across service design and transformation delivery.

  • Deputy Chair and Chair of the Nominations Committee at SafeLives
    Jun 2018 - Jun 2025 · 7 yrs 1 mo

    We are a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for good. We combine insight from services, survivors and statistics to support people to become safe, well and rebuild their lives. No one should live in fear. It is not acceptable, not inevitable, and together – we can make it stop.

  • Citizens Advice (London, England, United Kingdom · Hybrid)
    • Executive Director, Digital
      Nov 2023 - Nov 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Executive Director of Digital, Technology and Advice (Interim)
      Apr 2023 - Nov 2023 · 8 mos