Dan Rodenhurst has been appointed as the Ministry of Defence's new chief digital and information officer, succeeding Charles Forte, who retired from the role in June after eight years in post.
Rodenhurst will become a director general within the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group – the area of defence responsible for developing, delivering, sustaining, housing and harbouring the UK’s "national arsenal" and defence estate. He will lead more than 3,000 digital, data, cyber and technology specialists across defence.
Claire Fry was appointed interim CDIO in June and will remain in place until Rodenhurst takes up the role in September.
In the role, Rodenhurst will lead delivery of the digital, data and artificial intelligence ambitions set out in the Defence Investment Plan. This includes maximising a £5.5bn investment into the MoD’s "digital backbone", £1.8bn into the digital targeting web and over £200m into AI capabilities.
Currently director general, UK Defence and Security IT, UK government, Rodenhurst has more than 25 years’ experience across the security and defence sector and has worked in the civil service for nearly two decades. He has led large-scale technology, cloud and digital transformation programmes in both the public and private sectors, including teams delivering technical operations, classified cloud, AI platforms and multi-agency services in mission-critical environments. He has led engineering organisations in oil and gas with Shell; consumer goods with Tate & Lyle; and in high tech with Accenture.
One of his responsibilities will be to ensure a coherent approach to data, AI and digital integration across UK defence, using the investments provided by the DIP to strengthen defence’s digital foundations and enhance operational effectiveness, such as the £100m investment to support Project FRONTIER AI.
Rodenhurst will also lead AI teams in developing the Defence AI Centre (DAIC) and Taskforce RAID. The DAIC, set up as the MoD’s centre for AI delivery, is complemented by the mobilisation of Taskforce RAID, which aims to effect genuine change and battlefield advantage for the warfighter on the ground.
As a member of the Defence Executive Committee, Rodenhurst will also work with the most senior leaders across defence to provide advice and recommendations on digital and data capability.
Rodenhurst said he is "honoured to be joining defence as chief digital and information officer at such an important time".
"AI, digital and data will be at the heart of how defence operates, enabling better operations, faster decisions and greater resilience," he added.
"I look forward to working with colleagues across defence, government and industry to maximise the value of the Defence Investment Plan and deliver capabilities that make a real difference."
National armaments director Rupert Pearce said he is "delighted" to welcome Rodenhurst into the NAD Group.
"He brings exceptional experience in leading large-scale digital transformation and will play a pivotal role in shaping how we harness digital, data and AI to deliver system efficiencies and military advantage," Pearce said.
"With the launch of the Defence Investment Plan, this is a vital leadership role at an important moment for defence. I know Dan will help strengthen partnerships across defence, government and industry as we continue to modernise our digital capabilities and deliver the ambitions of the Strategic Defence Review."