Richard Steel, CIO at London Borough of Newham takes on Socitm Presidency as Society confirms first steps in change programme

His formal election took place at the Society's AGM held at The British Library on 24 April.

Richard started his IT career in Merchant Banking, and became an Assistant Director of Morgan Grenfell (now Deutch Bank). He moved to Newham Council, in 1989, where he has undertaken a number of ICT management roles before becoming the CIO responsible for ICT and Information Governance strategy, infrastructure and systems. He won the "Public Sector CIO of the Year" award at the 2005 UK Technology, Innovation & Growth awards.

Richard is a member of Newham's Strategic Management Board. He is passionate about infrastructure and standards requirements and is a member of the Public Sector Infrastructure Group, of the Government Connect Stakeholder Board, and of the Identity & Passport Service Local Government Advisory Board.

He is also a member of the LG CIO Council, established by Socitm in April at the invitation of the Government CIO John Suffolk. Other Socitm involvements prior to becoming President include chairing Socitm London, where he remains a member of the committee, and membership of the Socitm Information Age Government group. Immediately before becoming President he was one of the Society's three vice Presidents.

Richard comes to the Presidency at a time of significant change for the Society, change which he has helped initiate in his role, over the past year, as the Society's Senior Vice President.  The purpose of this process of change is to help the Society develop into an organisation that is:

• the professional body for all who work in ICT in the public & third sectors (and seen as such)
• consulted as a matter of course by the Government and other stakeholders
• seen as an influential and trusted adviser
• is thriving commercially with a broad range of products & services that cover all its members' professional requirements.

'If we are to achieve these goals, the Society faces some bold and tough decisions in the short-term' says Richard Steel. 'We need to modernise and revitalise the Society so that we are well-positioned to deliver them, and enable a modern, inclusive and efficient professional society for all who work in public & third sector ICT'.

Further information:

A print quality image of Richard is available here

Richard Steel, Socitm President                                                 
Tel: 020 8430 4301  Email: richard.steel@newham.gov.uk
                                           
Vicky Sargent or Peter Coates, Socitm Press Office                        
Tel: 0845 094 5641  vicky.sargent@socitm.gov.uk or peter.coates@socitm.gov.uk