Digital Transformation is reshaping higher education, requiring institutions to balance innovation, operational efficiency, cybersecurity and the evolving expectations of students and staff. Across universities in the UK, technology leaders are playing a critical role in driving this change, developing strategies that support teaching, research and institutional growth. We profile some of the sector’s leading CIOs and digital leaders and explore the experience, expertise and vision they bring to their organisations.
Jenny Rae, CIO, Imperial College London
As Chief Information Officer at Imperial College London, Rae leads the institution’s digital, data and technology strategy, overseeing enterprise platforms, cybersecurity, research computing and digital infrastructure to support world-class research, education and operations.
She is responsible for delivering Imperial’s Digital Plan and leading the transition to a product-led operating model, modernising core platforms and driving large-scale transformation programmes across ERP, service management, cloud collaboration and data platforms.
Rae brings experience spanning telecommunications, technology and higher education, and is passionate about using data and AI to advance research, improve decision-making and enhance the student and colleague experience.
PJ Hemmaway, CIO, University of Manchester
As CIO at the University of Manchester, Hemmaway leads Digital Transformation initiatives that support a community of more than 75,000 colleagues and students, with a focus on improving user experience, strengthening resilience and delivering measurable outcomes across the institution.
He specialises in modernising complex organisations through the delivery of enterprise platforms, critical service improvements and long-term strategy spanning digital, data, AI and physical infrastructure. Hemmaway has led major programmes that have enhanced service performance, reduced incidents, generated significant cost savings and enabled new ways of working.
Drawing on experience gained in London’s investment banking sector, he combines commercial discipline with innovation, while championing the use of AI and digital technologies to improve inclusion, unlock human potential and help shape the future of higher education.
James Crooks, CIO, Durham University
With more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, Crooks is a dynamic technology leader with a strong track record in CIO, CTO and Chief Digital Information Officer roles.
He combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen and a collaborative leadership style, enabling organisations to align technology strategy with operational and strategic objectives. Crooks has extensive experience leading large-scale IT services and delivering complex transformation programmes in fast-moving and highly demanding environments.
Emma Jane Woodstock, CIO, York St.John University
As CIO at York St John University, Woodstock brings more than 20 years of IT leadership experience across the public and private sectors, with expertise spanning IT service management, project delivery and transformational programme management.
She has extensive experience supporting portfolio-level strategic decision-making for large-scale change initiatives and is particularly focused on digital strategic transformation.
Woodstock is a strong advocate for IT service management, enterprise service management and product management, and has a deep understanding of the cybersecurity challenges facing the higher education sector.
In addition to her university role, Woodstock serves as Chair and Trustee of UCISA, where she is passionate about supporting IT professionals across higher education.
Jim Nottingham, CIO and CDO, University for the Creative Arts
As CIO and CDO at the University for the Creative Arts, Nottingham is focused on delivering IT and Digital Transformation programmes that support institutional goals while promoting sustainable and inclusive leadership.
He is committed to providing clear strategic direction, fostering diversity and equality across digital services and creating an environment where individuals are empowered to develop, succeed and contribute to organisational growth. Nottingham advocates an inclusive management approach that encourages collaboration, innovation and practical problem-solving.
Drawing on both professional and personal experience, he brings a positive and resilient perspective to leadership, championing creative and efficient ways of working while helping organisations navigate change and maximise the value of digital technologies.
James Smith, COO and CIO, Middlesex University
As COO and CIO at the Middlesex University, Smith is responsible for Professional Services across the institution and leads the university’s Digital Strategy, ensuring digital technologies play a central role in strategic decision-making. He also oversees library, IT and digital services, supporting the university’s long-term transformation objectives.
Smith joined Middlesex University in 2024 following a 16-year career at Birkbeck, University of London, where he held a number of senior leadership roles including Chief Information Officer. With a background in Computer Science and an MBA in Higher Education Management, he has extensive experience delivering large-scale technology, business change and process improvement programmes across higher education.
His expertise spans student systems, HR, finance, payroll, timetabling and access control, alongside initiatives focused on agile working, infrastructure modernisation and Digital Education.
Smith also serves as a Trustee of UCISA and chairs its Corporate Information Systems Group, contributing to the advancement of digital leadership across the higher education sector.
Richard Strange, CDIO, University of Southampton
Richard Strange, Chief Digital and Information Officer at the University of Southampton, is an experienced leader whose expertise has been gained across a variety of sectors. He is recognised for his growth mindset, underpinned by a commitment to personal development and experiential learning, alongside a tenacity and determination that drive the consistent delivery of results.
Strange has a strong technical background but considers himself primarily a people-focused leader. This is demonstrated through his ability to develop high-performing teams and build strong relationships, enabling effective partnerships with key stakeholders and ensuring a clear understanding of business challenges and strategic priorities.
Nick Gilbert, CIO, London School of Economics
Nick Gilbert, Chief Information Officer at the London School of Economics and Political Science, leads strategic change initiatives for universities across the UK and internationally. He specialises in institutional transformation, technology enablement and service excellence, with a strong focus on clarity of purpose and bringing institutional leaders together to achieve shared objectives.
Gilbert is committed to supporting collaboration across the higher education sector, helping universities improve maturity through the sharing of best practices and collective advancement. He also serves as a trustee of UCISA, the membership body for technology and digital professionals in education.
David Hill, CIO, University of Cambridge
David Hill, Chief Information Officer at the University of Cambridge, is an experienced technology leader with extensive expertise in Health Informatics and business operations. His career spans both the commercial and public sectors, with a strong focus on clinical and business systems.
Hill has developed a strategic approach to IT leadership, working closely with key business stakeholders and third-party partners to deliver cost-effective technology solutions and drive business process change through the adoption of emerging technologies. His experience includes business change management, Digital Transformation, IT service transition, IT strategy development, technology roadmaps, infrastructure management, application architecture, clinical and business systems, stakeholder engagement, IT upgrades and systems migration.
He has a proven track record of delivering added business value by aligning technology initiatives with organisational objectives and leveraging innovation to support operational improvement and long-term strategic goals.
Nathalie Czechowski, Chief Information Officer, University of South Wales
Nathalie Czechowski leads the university’s IT organisation, strategy and Digital Transformation initiatives, focusing on modernisation and interoperability across higher education systems.
Czechowski has built her career in technology leadership within UK higher education, with a focus on aligning digital services to institutional goals.
As CIO, Czechowski is responsible for shaping the university’s IT roadmap, including infrastructure modernisation, cybersecurity and support for research and teaching innovation.
She oversees the delivery of shared digital services to enhance efficiency and student experience. Her work supports the university’s broader mission to expand digital education and institutional resilience.
