Group Chief Data Officer, BAE Systems

Dr Johanna Hutchinson, former Director of Analytics & Data Science, UK Health Security Agency, joins BAE as Group Chief Data Officer (CDO).

BAE Systems provides some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions and employs a skilled workforce of around 100,000 people in more than 40 countries. 

• Working with customers and local partners, BAE Systems develops, engineers, manufactures and supports products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.
• The organisation required their first formal chief data officer to work across all business divisions to drive value from data, build new data products and to lead the executive and divisional leadership teams to better drive business management and effectiveness.
• Johanna Hutchinson, an award winning UK data leader, formerly with the UK Health Security Agency, started her role in August 2023 as the first CDO of a FTSE 50 business.
• With deep expertise in delivering high value analytics and AI at pace, Johanna brings valuable experience from the public sector to the private sector. She has a broad portfolio from building data and analytical capability for multiple government departments to championing new prototypes and analytical innovations. This was seen most uniquely and with great impact as she built, then led the analytical delivery from Joint Biosecurity Agency/Test and Trace for UK Health Security Agency.
• Johanna is now operating at a Group level for BAE Systems supporting the development, maturity and exploitation of data to deliver value for BAE colleagues and customers alike.
  

Our Approach

The selection process was exhaustive, considering the limited options within the industry and evaluating candidates who could handle the scale and security requirements. Johanna's varied background, including her tenure as a Senior Civil Servant, showcased her ability to collaborate and deliver innovative cutting-edge capability at scale.

Her expertise in data security and her experience in managing complex, public-private partnerships, notably at the UK Health Security Agency and during the COVID-19 pandemic with Test and Trace, made her the standout candidate for the role.

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