DWP CIO Andy Nelson steps down

Nelson quits after a year in post that has seen damaging revelations about IT projects associated with Universal Credit

Andy Nelson, CIO of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has stepped down after one year in the post. He will remain in the position until his successor is in post.

A DWP spokesperson said: "After four and a half years in the Civil Service, Andy Nelson has decided to step down as DWP's CIO. His work has included improving the day to day running of the department's IT and welfare reforms.

"The DWP has a strong IT team in place, and Andy will continue in post until the summer to ensure continuity and an effective handover to his successor."

Joining DWP from his position of government CIO, and prior to that CIO at the Ministry of Justice, Nelson took on the Work and Pensions post in February last year following the death of the previous incumbent, Philip Langsdale.

He arrived at the department as the DWP's problematic Universal Credit system was just getting off the ground.

The full reasons for Nelson's resignation are unclear. However, the many problems associated with the roll-out of the Universal Credit system, as well as this week's headlines about thousands of bogus and duplicated job advertisements appearing on its flagship Universal Jobmatch web site will have done little to persuade him to stay. Neither will the Government's gradual diminution of the role of the CIO across its many departments.

In November, a former employee gave Computing a frank insight into the problems with technology at DWP, accusing the department of suffering from weak management.