Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation in City of London

Candidate Opportunity Brief

Position: Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation

Reporting to: Chief Innovation Officer

Confidentiality: N/A

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

• Rail & Transportation
• Civils & Construction
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain
• Technology & Cyber Security
• Logistics & Intermodal Freight
• Defence

Our search directors, search consultants and in-house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management. Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

We have been exclusively appointed on a retained search for a Head of Innovation & Digital Transformation. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements

As an organisation, we are at the forefront of innovation within the rail industry, embracing new ways of working and establishing ourselves as a UK transport leader in AI, Machine Learning, Automation, and Operational excellence, through technology and data-driven decision-making. This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation that will be leading the way for the whole industry, redefining operating models, improving performance, reducing cost and providing the best service for our customers.

As Head of Innovation and Digital Transformation, you will be at the heart of our mission. You will lead digital transformation across customer experience, operations, technology, and commercial strategy, and represent us across industry, government, and public forums to drive the wider sector's transformation agenda.

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• Working with stakeholders at a top level, instilling trust, credibility and leading adoption of the digital transformation journey.
• Winning the hearts and minds of all employees within the business, starting from the bottom up, taking people on the behavioural change journey and working through push back or hesitations.
• Playing an integral role in the company that is leading the way in embracing innovation and what this looks like in the future rail landscape.
• Understanding that as this scales, it will come with increased governance and red tape.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

• Delivering against the automation strategy and ensuring the business is on track for the treasury target of £50m savings over a 3-year period.
• Working across the business to ensure company-wide adoption of new technology and continued elevation of the business's digital culture.
• Ensuring that the technology is driving operational and service delivery performance and continuing to look at what needs to change to be a more efficient organisation (Automation, AI and Machine Learning).

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

• Proven experience in driving and leading successful digital transformation with a focus on Automation, AI and Machine Learning solutions.
• Demonstrable experience leading technical teams (3+ direct reports) with the ability to set strategy while maintaining team motivation and focus.
• Strong commercial acumen, understanding how digital transformation has a direct financial impact.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills able to influence at all levels (Bottom to top) and sell the story.
• A technical qualification is not needed for the role, but it is essential that the candidate is able to understand digital solutions.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

• Resilience – able to push forward with good momentum even when facing setbacks.
• Drive – understands the importance of digital transformation and has a passion for driving change whilst pushing a business into the future.
• Inspirational ability to bring people on the journey and get them excited about what innovation can enable them to do.
• Pragmatic & dynamic – able to think outside the box and focus on solutions, not problems.
• Executive maturity – ability to operate at a senior level and drive change from a top level.

Working Arrangements & Location

3 days per week at either site, London or York office, with occasional travel expected across the route. 2 days working from home available.

Search Timescale Agreement

• Situational Discovery (Role Scoping Meeting) – Completed 10th Feb 2026
• Timescale Agreement & Delivery Plan - Issued to Client – Completed 11th Feb 2026
• Candidate Opportunity Briefing Document Client Sign Off – In process 12th Feb 2026
• Search Go Live – 11th Feb 2026
• Mid-Search Review / Progress Update Meeting with Client – 25th Feb 2026
• Shortlist Presentation & Review Meeting with Client – 6th Mar 2026
• First Stage interviews between Candidates & Client – WC 9th Mar 2026
• Psychometric Assessment (If applicable) – N/A
• Final Stage Interviews between Candidates & Client – WC 23rd Mar 2026
• Decision to offer successful candidate – 27th Mar 2026
• Likely Candidate Start Date – 3-month notice
• Mid Notice Engagement Session between Candidate & Client – May 2026

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process

• First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion.
• Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief.
• The shortlist: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable).

Client Interview Process

• 1st Stage interview: Remote interview with CIO and a Head of Department competency-based with questions relating to subject matter.
• 2nd Stage interview: Face-to-face interview with CIO and a Director Presentation task - TBC

Good to know

The Head of Innovation and Business Transformation reports into the Chief Innovation Officer. This opportunity has arisen due to the current Head of Innovation & Business Transformation leaving the business in March. The previous incumbent put exceptional foundations in place to successfully navigate what can be a very governance-heavy industry. This individual will have indirect leadership of a team of 35 across Machine Learning, Innovation and AI. Part of a wider team of 120 across the Digital division. Team culture is dynamic, driven, supportive and creative. There will be a focus on continuing to develop team resilience and empowering them to embrace accountability. The client have a culture of openness and transparency, which will support the mission of this role. We are particularly looking for those who can display strong leadership throughout the business and work diligently to lead from the front and build strong relationships at all levels. The client is an industry-leading train operator that is at the forefront of digital adoption and setting the standard within the industry.