Helen Wylie is stepping up as the chief digital and information officer at the Department for Work and Pensions when Rich Corbridge departs the civil service in mid-November. Her new role kicks off on November 1, just as Corbridge wraps up his time with the DWP, following a brief stint that started in April 2023. He’s making this change for personal reasons, not due to any issues at work.
Wylie has been with the DWP since September 2018, initially taking on the role of digital delivery director before becoming chief technology officer earlier this year. She brings considerable experience from her previous position at the Bank of England, where she spent over four years as head of technology delivery.
Wylie now leads a digital team operating within a massive budget of £1.4 billion, overseeing critical services including Universal Credit and state pensions. The DWP handles an impressive £170 billion a year, manages 50 million lines of code, and hosts one of Europe’s largest IT estates.
Corbridge commended Wylie on LinkedIn, praising her exceptional leadership skills and her passion for her work. He highlighted her ability to unite teams and effectively manage stakeholders, stating that she has consistently impressed him over the years.
As Wylie takes the reins, she faces the challenge of modernizing a significant government IT framework while responding to new expectations from the Labour administration. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, recently set a target for government departments to boost productivity by 2% next year through better technology use and coordinated services.
In a panel discussion, Corbridge noted the complexities of digital transformation within the DWP. He emphasized that while obtaining the right technology has become easier, dealing with legacy systems remains a challenge. These outdated systems might function well, but they can hinder the organization’s ability to evolve quickly and cost-effectively.