Jason Oliver

Jason Oliver, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, is leaving the University in November 2024 to take up the role of Chief Technology Officer at Western University in Ontario, Canada. Western University is Canada’s third largest research-intensive university, and as the new Chief Technology Officer Jason will develop, shape, and implement the institution's technology strategy in alignment with its academic mission – modernising the IT infrastructure and improving the overall student experience. 

Jason has been at Sussex since 2019, having previously delivered technological engagement and digital modernisation for the Science Museum and the Royal Opera House, following time in the civil service. He was number nine in the UK’s Top 100 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) 2023 and has been in the top 100 for each of past seven years. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “Over the last six years Jason has overseen a programme of improvement in our IT and projects here at Sussex, including a vital cyber security programme, and replacement of our network. The new role is an exciting opportunity for Jason, and Western will benefit from his leadership as they transform their own IT offering. The legacies of Jason’s time here will be reaped for years to come.” 

In his time at Sussex, as well as being the overall IT lead, Jason also created and led Sussex Projects for the University and oversaw the technological response to the pandemic in 2020 which resulted in major improvements to hybrid teaching and learning.  Key projects which have been rolled out under his leadership have included: the Network Replacement Programme to replace outdated network infrastructure on campus; a huge cyber security programme – including the recent rollout of multi factor authentication; a digital infrastructure programme to modernise our underlying data centres and move to the cloud; the rollout of Teams including more recently Teams Calling telephony across the University; commencing a new web and intranet project, and implementing the UK’s first SITS Azure instance which brought numerous benefits for Clearing in recent years.  

Jason said: “I have loved my six years at Sussex and I will always be appreciative for the support I have had from right across our community. We have achieved a lot a lot during my tenure and I am very proud of the contribution that has been made. 

"I always said that it would take something extremely compelling to take me away from Sussex, and I do not feel that everything I set out to do is finished yet. The opportunity I have been presented with is simply too big though. The chance to emigrate to Canada, to grow my knowledge and experience on a global scale, and to secure an opportunity for my children to experience life and education in a new country whilst learning a new culture is extremely compelling – indeed, life-changing for our whole family.” 

Interim arrangements for the Chief Digital Transformation Officer role will be announced shortly, whilst permanent recruitment is undertaken.