Mark Robinson appointed CIO of DfT Operator
Mark Robinson has been appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) of DfT Operator (DFTO) - the government body bringing all privately-owned train operators into public ownership.
Robinson will lead DFTO’s digital, data and cybersecurity strategy and provide a strategic overview across all train operators in public ownership.
He brings over two decades of experience delivering large-scale digital transformation projects across complex public and private sector organisations.
As CIO, he will lead the organisation’s approach to digital, cyber security, data and IT infrastructure, ensuring that technology enables safe, reliable and customer focused rail operations and that the publicly owned network is supported by forward-looking technologies and secure systems ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).
Prior to joining DFTO, he served as director of technology at the Ministry of Justice where he managed one of the UK’s largest technology estates.
Robinson has also held senior roles at Cubic Corporation, where he managed infrastructure supporting Transport for London’s Oyster and Contactless payment systems, and at Red Bee Media, where he led a global infrastructure strategy for brands including the BBC, Channel 4, BT Sport and Disney.
Commenting on his appointment, Mark Robinson said: “I’m excited to have joined DFTO at such a transformative time for the rail industry.
“My focus will be on creating a secure, data-driven and future-ready technology environment that supports the public ownership programme as the journey towards Great British Railway accelerates in 2026.”
There are seven train operators already in public ownership. They are c2c, Greater Anglia, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway and TransPennine Express.
West Midlands Trains, which operates London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services, joins the DFTO group on Sunday, 1 February.