Key Points
- Ian O'Brien appointed CTO and Neal Watkins appointed CPO at Civica
- Civica separated Product and Engineering functions at start of financial year
- Both executives will focus on integrating AI into public sector software solutions
Civica, a software company that builds technology for government and public sector organisations, has appointed Ian O’Brien as Chief Technology Officer and Neal Watkins as Chief Product Officer, the company announced on 23 April 2026.
Both executives join the leadership team and will report to Lee Perkins, Chief Executive Officer. The appointments follow Civica’s decision at the start of the financial year to separate its product and engineering functions into distinct divisions.
Civica provides cloud-based software to more than 6,000 customers globally, serving central and local government bodies, education institutions and healthcare organisations. The company says its software supports services reaching over 100 million citizens across seven countries in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
New technology leadership
O’Brien joined Civica in November 2023 and most recently served as CTO for the company’s UK operations and Senior Vice President of Engineering. Before Civica, he held technology leadership roles at Stint and Bohemia Interactive Simulations, where he led technology transformation programmes.
As CTO, O’Brien will oversee global engineering across product development, platform infrastructure and operations. His focus areas include AI-enabled software delivery, a method that uses artificial intelligence to automate and accelerate how software is built and deployed.
“We have a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to further modernise our platforms and ways of working,” O’Brien said. “My focus is on creating the conditions for great engineering to thrive, where teams are empowered, platforms are resilient and innovation can move at pace.”
Product strategy under new CPO
Watkins brings experience from senior roles at Sage and BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, where he led multi-product organisations. His expertise spans SaaS, which refers to software delivered over the internet rather than installed on individual computers, and AI-driven solutions.
As CPO, Watkins will lead global product strategy and work with engineering, customer and commercial teams to develop software roadmaps. He will also oversee the integration of AI capabilities into Civica’s products.
“I’m thrilled to join Civica at a pivotal moment for the industry as governments transform how services are delivered,” Watkins said. “There is a real opportunity to reimagine how public sector organisations engage with and protect communities by embedding AI-enabled services and intelligent workflows that drive faster, more informed decision-making for better citizen outcomes.”
Company restructuring
The separation of product and engineering functions aims to increase focus, investment and accountability in both areas, according to the company. The restructuring is designed to strengthen product strategy while advancing engineering practices for building secure and scalable solutions.
Perkins said the appointments reflect continued investment in product and technology, with AI central to the company’s strategy. “By strengthening our focus across both areas, we are advancing the use of AI and data to improve public services, making them more efficient, responsive and easier to use,” he said.
Civica, headquartered in London, has operated for 25 years and maintains operations across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Your Questions, Answered
Who has Civica appointed as its new CTO and CPO?
Civica has appointed Ian O'Brien as Chief Technology Officer and Neal Watkins as Chief Product Officer. Both executives report to CEO Lee Perkins.
What does Civica do?
Civica builds cloud-based software for government and public sector organisations including central and local government bodies, education institutions and healthcare providers. The company serves over 6,000 customers globally.
Why did Civica separate its product and engineering functions?
Civica separated the functions at the start of the financial year to increase focus, investment and accountability in both areas. The restructuring aims to accelerate innovation and strengthen product strategy.
What will the new CPO Neal Watkins focus on at Civica?
Watkins will lead global product strategy, develop commercially focused roadmaps and oversee the integration of AI capabilities into Civica's products for public sector organisations.
