Leading a department’s data team
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Department of International Trade (DIT) is a UK government department formed by Prime Minister Theresa May in 2016 following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (also referred to as Brexit). It is responsible for negotiating and securing trade agreements between the UK and foreign countries and for encouraging foreign investment and export trade. They also help overseas companies locate and grow in the UK as well as championing free trade.
In 2023 the Department merged with parts of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to form a new Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
The challenge
DIT’s Digital Data and Technology directorate had a complex portfolio of products going through transformation to become more data-driven. Data products developed in-house needed to increase the maturity of their operations and data capability to keep up with user growth and establish a stable and reliable service.
Alongside a maturing core product offering, the directorate was developing new data-intensive analysis products to a rapid timeline and with high level of interest and engagement from Ministers. DDaT needed to support the timeline of these developments whilst ensuring risk was limited through adequate governance.
Because of a recent consolidation of data policy functions into the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), we saw a resurgence in cross-Government data initiatives such as a new Data Quality Framework. DIT wanted to keep pace with these developments and share the best practices developed internally.
What we did
Register Dynamics supplied senior Deputy Director level staff to provide leadership of delivery teams and act as an interim Chief Data Officer (CDO). Our staff joined as full members of DDaT’s senior leadership team and helped steer the direction of the department’s digital function. We provided both senior level management and strategy capability alongside deep technical knowledge of data and digital delivery.
We oversaw the work of delivery teams developing data-heavy solutions in the Department and in collaboration with other Depts, ensuring they stuck to standards that reduced risk and cost. Where necessary, we facilitated high quality outcomes by engaging them appropriately with data professionals.
We provided pastoral care and management of data community leaders to ensure data capability continued to grow. As a Member of the Data Ethics board, we advocated for responsible data use by highlighting ethical, protection and governance issues around use of data in the Department and by amplifying input from marginalised groups.
We represented DIT's departmental interests at multiple cross-Government boards, including Cabinet Office Data Leaders groups, border delivery groups and CDO network groups, identifying issues and steering direction of standards development conducted by the centre.
In addition, we planned and coordinated a cross-DIT response to the National Audit Office (NAO) audit into data maturity, quality and governance. We ensured that all data practitioners in the department from digital, statistical, economist and monitoring teams were properly represented in the Department’s response.
The result
Our senior staff successfully navigated teams through delivery challenges, ensuring they stayed on track. We helped teams understand the direction being set by departmental seniors and relate their work to the department’s overall mission, forming the objectives and key results for future work.
We successfully delivered the NAO audit on time and with full buy-in from all cross-Department stakeholders.
At the end of our interim deputy directorship, we provided a high quality handover and a stable and fuss-free transition to the permanent CDO.
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