Civica names new Chief Technology & Product Officers

Civica has appointed Ian O'Brien as Chief Technology Officer and Neal Watkins as Chief Product Officer. Both have joined the executive leadership team and report to chief executive Lee Perkins.

The appointments follow Civica's decision at the start of its financial year to separate its product and engineering functions, a move intended to increase focus, investment and accountability in both areas.

O'Brien takes on the technology role after joining the business in November 2023. Most recently, he served as CTO UK and SVP Engineering.

Before joining Civica, he held roles at Stint and Bohemia Interactive Simulations, where he led technology change programmes and built engineering teams.

In his new role, O'Brien will oversee global engineering across product development, platform and operations. His remit includes software delivery and operational performance as Civica places greater emphasis on AI in its products and internal processes.

Watkins joins with experience in multi-product software organisations, including senior roles at Sage and BAE Systems Applied Intelligence. He will lead global product strategy and work with product, engineering, customer and commercial teams on product roadmaps.

He will also oversee the integration of AI into Civica's products to support decision-making and improve the user experience in public sector software.

Strategic shift

The leadership changes reflect Civica's push for a clearer separation between product management and engineering delivery. The new structure is intended to give each function more dedicated oversight while supporting a broader technology and product strategy.

Civica sells software and services to public sector organisations across central and local government, education, health and care. More than 6,000 customers use its systems, which support services delivered to more than 100 million citizens.

The business operates in seven countries across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, giving both executives global responsibilities from the outset.

Perkins linked the appointments to Civica's investment in product and technology. "These appointments reflect our continued investment in product and technology, with AI central to our strategy. By strengthening our focus across both areas, we are advancing the use of AI and data to improve public services, making them more efficient, responsive and easier to use. Our aim is to support public sector organisations with intelligent solutions that simplify complexity and deliver better outcomes for citizens," he said.

Leadership roles

For O'Brien, the promotion expands his responsibilities after more than two years with the group. He now leads the engineering organisation globally as many software suppliers reassess how AI tools affect product design, development and operations.

"We have a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to further modernise our platforms and ways of working. My focus is on creating the conditions for great engineering to thrive, where teams are empowered, platforms are resilient and innovation can move at pace," O'Brien said.

Watkins joins from outside the company to lead product direction as Civica looks to shape its software portfolio around changing public sector requirements. His previous work included senior roles in software and applied intelligence businesses.

"I'm thrilled to join Civica at a pivotal moment for the industry as governments transform how services are delivered. Civica's purpose to serve citizens strongly resonates with me, and there is a real opportunity to reimagine how public sector organisations engage with and protect communities by embedding AI-enabled services and intelligent workflows that drive faster, more informed decision-making for better citizen outcomes," Watkins said.