Network Rail appoints Aidan Hancock as group CIO

Ex-BP IT director moves to Network Rail

Network Rail, the UK's nationalised owner of railway infrastructure, has appointed Aiden Hancock as group CIO.

Hancock will come under Network Rail's Route Services senior management team and will report directly to Susan Cooklin, the managing director of Route Services.

Hancock will be responsible for supplying and managing Network Rail's IT, including infrastructure and support services. He will also lead the delivery of Route Services' customer-related ‘enabling technology', as well as ensuring that back office IT operations deliver a more efficient service to Network Rail's devolved route businesses.

Before joining Network Rail, Aidan held senior leadership roles at BP for over 12 years, including chief network architect and most recently IT director and vice-president of BP Middle East, working out of London, Baghdad, Basra, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

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In this role he was responsible for BP's largest region, including operating the world's second largest oil field, and managing BP's relationship with government ministerial stakeholders.

Hancock indicated that one of the purposes of his appointment was to lead the organisation's digital transformation.

"IT is now in the spotlight as companies embrace the potential of digital transformation. I'm excited to be joining Network Rail to lead on this challenge, unlocking value and improvements for the future while also delivering our day-to-day services to the highest level of performance," said Hancock.

On LinkedIn, Hancock describes his strengths as "strategic direction and planning" and "digital transformation and innovation at scale".

Cooklin highlighted Hancock's experience: "Aidan has extensive experience leading IT organisations and digital business transformation across industries from broadcasting to energy. I'm delighted that he will be joining Network Rail and bringing his expertise to the railway."

Before his 12 years at BP, Hancock was head of networks at GCAP Media (better known, perhaps, under its previous name of GWR Group), consultant at Admiral and network manager at Bond Pearce Solicitors.

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