The London boroughs of Kingston and Sutton have recruited Steve O’Connor to lead digital and IT across the two authorities’ shared service. 

O’Connor (pictured above) has been appointed as the boroughs’ assistant director for digital and IT. He joins from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, where he is group technology officer. Prior to joining MHCLG, he spent 10 years working in IT and digital roles at the Houses of Parliament – most recently serving as chief technology officer for the Parliamentary Digital Service. Earlier in his career he worked for STA Travel.

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In addition to overseeing tech for the two councils, O’Connor will also do so for Achieving for Children – a social enterprise jointly owned by Kingston council with the local authorities for fellow London borough Richmond, as well as the local authority for Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire.

O’Connor said: “I am excited by the ambitious plans for both boroughs and the central role that digital technology can have in achieving them. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and getting fully involved in the digital transformation work across both councils and leading a strong IT service, not only for Kingston and Sutton but also Achieving for Children." 

According to the job ad published this summer, the IT and digital director will be tasked with “ensuring a continued fit-for-purpose IT infrastructure… whilst also helping to shape future digital strategies”.