James Anderson

Programme and Technology Leadership

United Kingdom

About

A career in digital and technology leadership and an executive director for the last 15 years. Widely experienced in public sector and the housing sector, with strengths in building great teams, delivering superb customer service, designing technology architectures, programme and project delivery, and ensuring robust cyber security controls. A skilled in developing strategies by education and experience, also proficient in budget management, risk management, incident management, business continuity, portfolio management and governance (data, information, IT and programme).

Experience

  • Shared Services Programme Director at Government Legal Department
    Dec 2025 - Present · 7 mos

    Supporting Government Legal Department to transform its technology platforms and modernise its ways of working in its Corporate Services and across the organisation.

  • Non Executive Director at Cobalt Housing
    Apr 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Board member and member of the Audit and Risk Committee, providing technology, cyber security and strategy guidance to an organisation under-taking a full technology and business process transformation

  • Chief Information Officer at Accent Group Ltd
    Jun 2024 - Sep 2025 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Developed a 10 year transformation and digital strategy, to support colleagues and customers with the modern services. Established Business Analysis, Enterprise Architecture and Project, Programme and Portfolio Management as new disciplines and proposed the re-engineering of Business Processes and new digital services to deliver a better customer experience.

  • Chief Technology Officer at Health and Safety Executive
    Sep 2015 - Jun 2024 · 8 yrs 10 mos

    Executive Director leading the 160 strong IT and FM Teams, the wider DDaT profession and technology lead on multiple major transformation programmes, including the delivery of digital services to support the new Building Safety Regulator. Led two successful spend review submissions to deliver digital change. Very early adopter of Apple and Microsoft's zero-touch device deployment models. Insourced and replaced all of HSE's IT contracts and technologies making significant budget savings and laying the foundations for digital service modernisation.

  • Group IT Director at The Guinness Partnership
    Oct 2011 - Sep 2015 · 4 yrs

    Group IT Director with The Guinness Partnership, delivering the IT that supports the Partnership in the provision of affordable housing and care provision across its four operating arms; Guinness Hermitage, Guinness Northern Counties, Guinness South and Guinness Care & Support.