Former senior manager at MoD and retail chains is named to post with remit across government, as advert goes live for potential £175k role as CDO in the long term

Lindsay Mason has been named as government chief digital officer on an interim basis, while recruitment for a permanent postholder has been opened.

In the meantime, Mason (pictured above) arrives in the role – which is based in the Government Digital Service – following a three-year spell at the Ministry of Defence, where she served as head of data management, governance and skills development. Before joining the civil service in 2022, Mason held data leadership roles at employers including John Lewis and Debenhams.

In her new, government-wide posting, she will be “leading the GDS data strategy to improve data maturity throughout its lifecycle”, according to her GOV.UK profile.

“She works closely with chief data officers across government to drive innovation and champion better access to data, supporting more informed decision-making and improved public services,” the profile adds.

Her duties will also include taking on responsibility “for fostering a sustainable, data-centric culture across government and the wider public sector”.

The profile says: “[The CDO will] also lead the development and implementation of the government-wide data strategy, promote common data standards, and enhance data sharing across departments and the government data and digital community.”

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Candidates interested in applying for the role on a permanent basis have until 11.55pm on 7 July to do so.

The advert advises applicants that the position comes with a salary of between £100,000 and £175,000 that will be “negotiable depending on experience”.

“Data is the foundation of modern digital government. From shaping public policy and driving economic growth to transforming front-line services, the way we govern, manage, and apply data directly impacts the lives of citizens and the effectiveness of the state,” the advert says. “As GCDO, you will lead the UK government’s efforts to harness this data responsibly, securely, and to maximum public benefit.”

It adds: “As the government chief data officer, you will lead on implementing the government’s mission to improve the use of its own data. You will work closely with stakeholders across the centre of government, including Number 10, the Office for National Statistics, Cabinet Office, HM Treasury.  You will also work collaboratively with data teams across a wide range of public sector bodies including central government departments and their agencies, the health service, devolved administrations and local government.”

The previous government chief data officer, Craig Suckling, arrived in Whitehall from Amazon Web Services but, after less than a year as a civil servant, left government to take a job at another major tech firm: Capgemini.