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About Rob

Rob Blagden founded Blagden Digital after 25 years leading digital, data and technology teams in the public sector. Rob spent 4 years in the Civil Service, 16 years in the NHS and 6 years in Higher Education.

Rob has a reputation for making successful change happen in an environment which is traditionally thought of as slow moving. His ability to work with stakeholders to define requirements and develop credible implementation plans sets him apart.

Rob's range of technical experience enables authentic and knowledgeable leadership, having worked across IT disciplines such as as service desk, software and data reporting development, architecting new systems, replacing LANs & WANs and implementation a myriad of solutions from clinical records systems to student engagement platforms, digital online examination products to automation and AI systems.

Notably Rob ensured the NHS Trust he worked in was one of the first to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation and his focus on security, given the current cyber landscape is notable.

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Experience

• Spearheaded a comprehensive digital transformation at Cardiff Metropolitan University, consolidating IT systems, achieving £500k (10%) in annual budget savings while enhancing service delivery through AI, automation, and cloud-based solutions.

• Orchestrated the strategic redesign of university-wide IT systems, developing a prioritised roadmap that reduced system complexity and secured executive approval for funding in automation, AI and cyber security investments.

• Championed the implementation of a learner analytics platform (StREAM), integrating data and processes to improve student retention, directly supporting institutional revenue and outcome goals.

• Introduced new cyber security measures, including transparent risk reporting aligned to NCSC and Jisc frameworks, PatchMyPC to improve patching and SecurityScorecard to monitor supply chain cyber posture, all strengthening governance for senior stakeholders.

• Drove the adoption of a unified ITSM solution (HALO) across professional services, streamlining enquiry management and improving response times by 25%, enhancing user satisfaction.

• Successfully restructured IT and Library teams, reducing headcount by 15% while maintaining service quality, fostering a culture of innovation and stakeholder collaboration. Reduced staff workload using automation and used 24x7 AI chat enabling wider access to support for students and faster response times.

• Led the merged Countywide IT Services across multiple NHS organisations in Gloucestershire, delivering a shared service model providing significant operating efficiencies while improving service response time.

• Technical implementation the RiO clinical system across Gloucestershire NHS, leading data migration and role-based access integration, reducing patient record access times and enhancing care delivery.

• Led early WiFi deployment across 70+ NHS Mental Health Trust locations and introducing point-to-point building wireless connectivity, cutting network setup costs and accelerating service deployment.