Image: The Met Office
Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2024.
Charles Ewen is a technology leader with a long history of delivering substantial IT projects within FTSE 150 retail and public sector organisations. He currently serves as the director of technology and CDIO at the Met Office, where he has been for more than 10 years. As an executive director on the Met Office Executive Board, he is responsible for all aspects of technology, leading a dedicated engineering team of around 350 people.
The Met Office is a world-leading meteorological organisation that relies on cutting-edge technology to fulfil its mission. Charles oversees an extensive scientific research programme and manages a significant High-Performance Computing estate, ensuring resilience for 24/7 operational weather forecasts. The technology platform under his guidance produces over 4 million discrete forecast products daily, supporting a wide range of users and systems, including the UK Public Weather Service.
Charles has driven the development of internal capabilities to deliver leading internet applications, ensuring affordability and effectiveness for public use and competitiveness in commercial operations. He has led ongoing transformation efforts to reduce costs and improve customer delivery, attracting skilled specialists to meet and define the organisation's rapidly changing needs.
Before his current role, Charles was the Met Office's executive head of technology from 2011 to 2013, responsible for all non-infrastructure aspects of IT. His career also includes significant roles at Premier Farnell, driving online sales and developing technical environments to support global operations.
