Trust appoints Steve Townsend as Chief Digital Information Officer

Wednesday 5 April 2017


Steve Townsend Chief Digital Information Officer

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to announce that Steve Townsend has been appointed to the new Board level role of Chief Digital Information Officer.

This role has been created in recognition of the growing importance of digital technology, informatics and information governance in the delivery of effective healthcare now and in the future.

Steve has previously worked for Transport for London, London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), where he was responsible for much of the technology that underpins transport systems in the capital.  He also previously worked at Carphone Warehouse and Centrica, after serving 16 years in the British Army as a communications specialist.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’, says: “Steve brings an impressive combination of technology and leadership skills to the Trust, and has demonstrated how these can be harnessed to realise strategic goals.

“Around the world, the effective deployment of digital technology is changing the way that healthcare is delivered, as well as driving the expectations of our patients and staff.  Through this appointment we will ensure that Guy’s and St Thomas’ is able to benefit from the transformational changes that new technology and the current revolution in informatics can bring.

“Steve joins us as we refresh and update our digital strategy, and begin in earnest the critical process of selecting a new Electronic Health Record. He succeeds Scott Sommerville, who has led the Trust’s IT and Telecomms team for the past eight years.  I want to thank Scott for the huge amount of work that he has done to support the Trust during that time.”    

Steve says: “I am very much looking forward to taking up my new appointment and to the new and exciting challenges of working for an NHS organisation for the first time.  In particular bringing life to the Trust’s digital strategy based around the connected clinician, the mobilisation of staff and the digital patient journey. The NHS is close to my heart and it will be a privilege to repay a debt of gratitude – I have nothing but admiration for the clinicians and staff working in this incredible institution, especially those who provided life-saving treatment to my son.”

Last updated: March 2022

Contact us

Media enquiries
Phone: 020 7188 5577
Email: [email protected]