Mark shares how his interest in technology led him from frontline policing into a career in digital at the Home Office, and why he didn’t need a traditional tech background to make the move.
Like a lot of people working in technology, I didn’t start out in a traditional tech role. Before joining the Home Office, I spent 15 years in frontline policing, working under pressure, making decisions that mattered, and relying on systems that had to work when it counted. It was a career I found deeply rewarding, but over time my priorities changed, and my interests started to shift.
My interest in technology began while I was working in neighbourhood policing. I became involved in using data-led approaches to improve visible policing and target resources more effectively. The more I saw how these systems worked, the more interested I became in the thinking behind them; how they were designed, how they were delivered, and how they could be improved. That interest led me into a career in tech, and eventually to the Home Office, where I joined as a Stakeholder Engagement Manager in the Police and Public Protection Technology portfolio.
Using frontline experience to shape better systems
For me, the move felt like a natural step. I had spent years using operational systems in policing, so I understood both what worked well and where the frustrations were. The opportunity to help shape better technology, while staying connected to policing and public protection, really mattered to me. I’m now a Lead Technology Delivery Manager within the Delivery profession, working as Head of Cross-Cutting Delivery. It’s a position I never imagined I’d reach, particularly without a traditional technology background. What made that progression possible was the Home Office’s commitment to learning and development.
One of the programmes I’ve worked on focused on improving secure access to critical operational policing systems, balancing stronger security with a simpler and more reliable user experience. Having worked on the frontline myself, I understood the operational impact when technology creates barriers rather than enabling people to do their jobs. That experience helped me bring a strong user perspective to delivery decisions.
Building confidence in new areas
I’ve also taken on lead delivery roles across Home Office cloud platforms, including leading a FinOps team. That was very different from my previous experience in policing which meant having to learn how to navigate entirely new domains. It showed me that while the subject matter might change significantly, the delivery and leadership skills I’d developed were highly transferable.
In my current role, I draw on everything I’ve learned throughout my career, applying the skills I developed in frontline policing alongside those I’ve built in technology delivery to lead across complex digital services and new domains.
If you want to learn and make a difference, you can
One thing that has stayed constant since I joined is the shared focus on delivering for the public. Everyone I’ve worked with cares deeply about the impact of the work and understands the scale of what we deliver. When you take a step back, it’s hard not to feel motivated by that.
If you’re considering a career in tech at the Home Office, especially if you’re thinking about changing career and wondering whether you’re ready; my advice is simple: don’t let that stop you. I didn’t have all the answers when I started, and I still don’t. What I do have is the support of dedicated people working together to solve complex challenges with real public impact.
