(EMEA) Irish public health and social care services provider Health Service Executive (HSE) has appointed Tom Laffan as its new Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO).

According to a memo from the HSE CEO, the role is designed to ensure that health data is effectively managed and accessible to those who need it across the system. It also focuses on equipping healthcare staff and services with the necessary tools and insights to leverage data for better decision-making and patient outcomes.

Laffan brings over two decades of experience in ICT and data management, having worked in the health sector since 2001. After relocating to Cork, he played a key role in leading national ICT initiatives that contributed to the advancement of digital transformation within the HSE.

His career began in the UK’s ICT sector, where he worked for a U.S.-based software company, gaining hands-on experience in technology implementation across multiple industries. He later expanded his expertise by working with large public and private sector organizations in various countries, focusing on data strategy, digital transformation, and system integration.

As CDAO, Laffan’s initial priority will be to collaborate with key stakeholders to strengthen a data-driven, patient-focused approach across the health system. Additionally, the Integrated Information Systems and AI & Automation Centre of Excellence (COE) will now operate under the CDAO function, aligning data and technology initiatives within the HSE.