National NHS chief digital, data and tech officer appointed

Rob Thompson has been appointed chief digital, data and technology officer across the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England.

Thompson joins from the Home Office, where he is chief digital, data and technology officer, having been part of the leadership team there for almost eight years.

He will take on responsibilities from Jules Hunt, who has held the role of director general for technology, digital and data on an interim basis since last year.

Thompson said: “It is a privilege to join the DHSC and NHSE leadership team at such an important time.

“Digital, data and technology are central to delivering the government’s 10 year health plan and ensuring the health and care system provides the best possible care for the people we serve.”

Prior to his stint at the Home Office, he worked at several large and complex organisations, including the Department for Work and Pensions, Deutsche Telecom UK, AT&T and BT.

Commenting on the appointment, Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive at NHS England, said: “Rob joins us at a crucial time for health and care.

“His leadership in digital and data will be key to improving services and helping staff deliver the best possible care. I would like to record my thanks to Jules for his work.”

NHSE said that Thompson’s start date will be confirmed in due course, and a short handover period between Thompson and Hunt will take place to ensure continuity

Samantha Jones, permanent secretary at DHSC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Rob to the department, where he will work closely with our Arm’s Length Bodies.

“He brings deep experience in digital, data and technology, and will play a vital role in driving our transformation work to support better outcomes for patients and the public.”

Prime minister Keir Starmer announced in March 2025 that NHS England will be brought back into the DHSC with the aim of ending the duplication resulting from two organisations doing the same job. The organisations are aiming for the legal abolition of NHSE to be complete by April 2027.

There have been several departures from NHSE’s digital leadership since the announcement, including Mike Fell, director of national cyber operations at NHSE, who shared that he is stepping down in mid-May to move to Department for Work and Pensions.

Sonia Patel, chief technology officer at NHSE, also announced that she will leave in March to take up the role of interim government CTO and Ming Tang, interim chief digital and information officer, will leave at the end of April.

Other senior figures to step down from NHSE include John Quinn, chief information officer, and Amanda Pritchard, chief executive.