Chris Youles will be the University of Bath’s Chief Information & Digital Officer (CIDO) from 1 May 2022.
Chris joins us from NTT Data, where he is Programme Director & Higher Education Lead. Prior to this he spent seven years in leadership positions at the Open University with digital, data and technology as integral components.
In the CIDO role, Chris will lead the Digital, Data & Technology Team, responsible for managing the University’s IT infrastructure, data and digital assets. He will lead on digital, data and technology strategies and build partnerships to put the right systems, networks and technologies in place.
Keith Zimmerman said: “I am delighted that we’ll soon welcome Chris to the University of Bath. Chris is a user focused, highly experienced technology leader and we were impressed by his extensive sector experience coupled with a passion for identifying better and innovative ways of doing things.
“Digital, Data and Technology has a pivotal role to play in delivering our research and teaching priorities and Chris’s role will be at the heart of making that happen, working closely with the existing expertise we have in the department and with colleagues across the University.”
Chris said: “I’m really delighted to be joining the University of Bath, it’s a fabulous University in a fabulous location and has a real buzz about it, I can’t wait to join the team.”
Chris was an Executive Board Member at the Open University leading on Digital Transformation, Information & Cyber Security, Data & Analytics, Information Technology and the Online Digital Experience & Learning. He was responsible for providing digital technology, data and business change services to over 10,000 staff, and providing a digital student experience and learning environment to over 170,000 students worldwide.
Before this, Chris worked across a range of industries developing the opportunities that technology can bring to business. His most recent role before the Open University was as a Director with BT.
Chris already has a strong association with Bath as his son is currently studying Civil Engineering with us.