Rachel Bence, Queen Mary University of London’s (Queen Mary) chief information officer (CIO), is a distinguished leader with a rich research and IT management background. She joined Queen Mary in 2019 and brought a wealth of experience in high-energy particle physics, aerospace engineering, and higher education IT infrastructure.
"My career began as a PhD student at CERN, in the field of high-energy particle physics," informs Rachel. At this stage, she worked on computational techniques and analysis platforms on the pre-runner to the Large Hadron Collider in the search for the Higgs boson, eventually discovered in 2012. After earning her PhD in 1991, she transitioned to a physics programmer and research assistant role before moving into IT contracting. Her expertise in computational analysis laid a strong foundation for her subsequent roles.
In the mid-1990s, Rachel joined Rolls-Royce, focusing on SAP implementation, project management and engineering design tools. "I was involved in integrating SAP and project and program management, including engineering design tools and modelling and simulation techniques. The experience taught me a great deal about the design and build process and how digital solutions can support and enhance these activities," expands Rachel. The experience underscored the transformative potential of digital technologies in the design and build processes. She then moved to Airbus, where she excelled in process methods and tools for Aircraft Design. Rachel eventually became the lead engineer for fuel systems tests and verification for several aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
Rachel's career took a significant turn, "After 17 years of being in aerospace, I applied for a position at the University of Bristol”, recalls." She joined the University of Bristol as an Assistant Director in IT and later became the IT Director. Her work in the higher education sector allowed her to leverage her technical expertise and passion for education, substantially impacting the university's IT infrastructure and strategic direction. Rachel adds, "I absolutely fell in love with the higher education sector."
As the CIO at Queen Mary, Rachel's role became even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When COVID happened, we became busier than ever before. I was probably under the most pressure I've ever been, due to the urgent need to shift our capability online in such a short time frame," she recalls. Her leadership was pivotal in ensuring a swift and successful transition to online operations, enabling Queen Mary to continue providing high-quality education and support to its diverse student body.
Rachel's role as Chair of the Russell Group IT Directors Forum allowed her to collaborate with peers on key topics in higher education IT.
Under Rachel's leadership, Queen Mary has made significant strides in modernising its IT infrastructure, focusing on inclusivity, sustainability and community engagement. She has spearheaded initiatives to enhance the university's digital capabilities, including upgrading computer networks and Wi-Fi across campuses, implementing scalable cloud solutions and taking advanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and personal information.
Rachel's strategic vision for Queen Mary centres around leveraging digital technologies to enhance research productivity and collaboration. Investments in High-Performance Computing (HPC) and scalable data storage have empowered researchers to perform complex simulations and data analysis, fostering innovation across various fields. Establishing the Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI) further supports interdisciplinary research, driving significant advancements in life sciences, earth and climate sciences, digital humanities and legal studies.
Rachel's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for women in technology is deeply ingrained in her professional journey. Initiatives like Women in Tech at Queen Mary, which she has championed, have significantly contributed to gender diversity and empowerment in the IT sector, providing women with mentoring and career development opportunities particularly in the more technical roles with IT Services. This commitment to inclusivity is a key part of Rachel's professional journey and a testament to her dedication to diversity in the field of technology.
Rachel's extensive experience, innovative leadership and dedication to inclusivity and excellence have significantly contributed to Queen Mary's reputation as a forward-thinking institution committed to shaping the future of education and research. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of digital technologies and strategic leadership in higher education.
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