Hi, my name is Dave and I’m the Head of Power Platform at the Home Office Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT), working in the Automation and Innovation function. My journey into technology hasn’t been a typical one as I didn’t come from a traditional tech background, but I’ve found a place where I can grow, contribute meaningfully, and help others do the same.
I fell into an uninspiring job after finishing university – a role that quickly taught me how much I disliked being bored. A few years later, I bought my first PC, which opened up a world of curiosity and possibility for me. I ended up enrolling with the Open University and worked towards a Computing degree. Although full-time work and raising a family meant I had to stop at a Diploma, it was still a defining moment for me.
Years later, I took an office job in the Civil Service. That one decision changed everything. It allowed me to use my brain and work in a place where there’s real opportunity. Since then, I’ve followed a simple formula: find something I want to do, work hard to get it, give it my all, and move on when it stops being a challenge. That approach has led to a variety of different roles over 17 years.
In my current role as Head of Power Platform, I lead a team that’s on a mission to democratise digital tools across the Home Office. While there’s no ‘typical day’ in such a dynamic space, my role is largely strategic. I work to understand the big-picture goals of the Home Office and wider Government around low-code technology and figure out how we can make them happen. That involves making sure we have the right skills in the right places, building relationships with everyone from asylum caseworkers to Directors General, and setting a clear direction for others to follow.
The most exciting part of this role is leading our new Power Platform Team. We’re working to empower people across the organisation to use digital tools to solve their own problems. This is more than just a tech initiative; it’s a chance to keep developing how the Home Office works. We’re going from a supplier-consumer model to a genuine partnership between DDaT and the business. By enabling colleagues with the tools and skills they need, we can help the Home Office become more efficient, responsive, and impactful for the public.
My goal in this role is ambitious but clear. We’re aiming to have 5,000 ‘Business Makers’, people in the business developing digital solutions using Power Platform, within three years. That would make us the largest user of Power Platform in central government anywhere in the world. But more importantly, I want to see people gaining digital skills, solving real problems, and enjoying their work more because of the change we’re making.
My role brings together three things I’m deeply passionate about. First, the transformative potential of low-code tools like Power Platform. Second, the belief that we should be developing and promoting talent from within, and third, my desire to do work that genuinely makes a difference. If we succeed in this programme, I’ll know I’ve left a real mark. I’ve been lucky to work on some incredible projects here at the Home Office, from improving border processes and public services to projects that have literally saved lives.
One of the reasons I’ve stayed here and thrived is the support for learning and development. I’ve had the freedom to shape my own growth, whether that’s watching online tutorials or attending intensive training courses. The flexibility of Home Office working has also been essential for me as a parent – part-time work when my children were young, flexible hours as they grew older, and remote working when appropriate.
For me, the Home Office has been a place where I’ve been able to focus on doing the best work I can, surrounded by supportive colleagues and exciting challenges. If you’re someone who wants to make a real impact and grow your skills in a meaningful way, it truly is a great place to be.
