Chris Ferguson

For Governments & Public Sector Chris Ferguson is an accomplished leader in the digital transformation and public sector technology space, with a career spanning senior roles in the UK Government and the private sector. As one of the original architects of the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS), Chris played a pivotal role in reshaping the way public services are designed and delivered. From 2011 to 2021, Chris was a cornerstone of GDS, contributing to transformative initiatives like GOV.UK, the Digital Service Standards, and IT Spend Controls. His leadership came into sharper focus in January 2015 when he became Director of the GDS Digital Group, overseeing groundbreaking programs such as GOV.UK Verify and the Government-as-a-Platform initiative, which set benchmarks for digital government globally. Chris's influence in government extended beyond the Cabinet Office. As Chair of the cross-government Digital Leaders network and Head of the Digital Profession for HM Government, he was instrumental in fostering a collaborative and innovative digital culture across departments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his expertise was critical as Chair of the cross-government COVID-19 Digital Taskforce, where he coordinated efforts to provide digital solutions during a time of unprecedented need. Before his tenure at GDS, Chris's work at the Home Office centered on counter-terrorism and national security, reflecting his versatility and dedication to public service. In October 2021, Chris transitioned to the private sector as Managing Director of Scott Logic, scaling and maturing it as a technology consultancy. In December 2024 Chris became VP for Government and Public Sector at Apolitical, where he will work with partners globally to further drive innovation in the public sector and help officials to solve the hardest challenges. Chris balances his professional achievements with life in Edinburgh, where he lives with his wife who is a Canadian biomedical scientist, and their golden retriever. Together they enjoy exploring the natural beauty of Scotland and the beaches of the Lothian coastline.