Richard Hobbs , Group IT Director at The Royal Mint , details how an innovative technology strategy is driving Britain ’ s coin maker into the 21st century
THE ROYAL MINT
Richard Hobbs , Group IT Director at The Royal Mint , details how an innovative technology strategy is driving Britain ’ s coin maker into the 21st century
The Royal Mint is a company that needs little introduction , at least not to the majority of the Great British public , coin collectors , or those interested in the Royal Family . Founded more than 1,100 years ago in around 886 AD , the Mint – as it ’ s colloquially known – is one of the UK ’ s oldest brands and remains the official maker of British coins . It ’ s also billed as the home of precious metals ( think gold bullion bars ) and recently launched a luxury jewellery collection called 886 by The Royal Mint .
That ’ s without mentioning the illustrious commemorative coins side of the business , which continues to thrive , and the iconic Olympic medals it created for London 2012 . It will come as no surprise , however , that The Royal Mint has had to digitally adapt to rapidly-evolving societal norms and technological advances .
Much of that responsibility has fallen to Richard Hobbs , Group IT Director of The Royal Mint , who joined just before the pandemic in early 2020 . Hobbs has been spearheading The Royal Mint ’ s technology transformation and implementing a five-year strategy that supports the organisation as it diversifies – which , he believes , is on the right track .
“ We ’ re transforming from a traditional manufacturer into a modern , digital-oriented organisation ,” says Hobbs . “ And over the last five years or so , we ’ ve been very successful in our commercial diversification but also in introducing new technology into the business .”
4 royalmint . com