19.04.16
UK’s first National Digital Adviser appointed
The appointment of the UK’s first National Digital Adviser, who will expand the public sector’s role with the digital and technology industries, was announced today.
Liam Maxwell, who was previously the government’s chief technology officer, will work with Matt Hancock, minister for the Cabinet Office, and Ed Vaizey, minister for the digital economy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to help improve government technology and boost the UK’s digital economy at home and abroad.
Maxwell said that since he joined the Government Digital Service four years ago, he had helped save £3.5bn by improving ICT provision of services.
“The government is now one of the most exciting places to work in tech,” he said. “I’m really excited by this new challenge and the opportunity to further embed the work that is making the UK the number one place to invest in Europe. We have the skills, the infrastructure and the know-how to make our economy the most connected, the most attractive and the most digital in the world.”
A recent report from the Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm) warned that local government is increasingly having to outsource ICT.
The Government Digital Service is also currently advertising a £100,000 a year programme director post for the new Government as a Platform programme, to introduce cross-platform digital services.
(Image c. Cabinet Office)