UK Government brings together tech experts to oversee ‘digital centre’ creation
The project will improve how technology is used to repair and expand public services and drive economic growth.
A new panel chaired by Baroness Martha Lane Fox, a successful startup founder, and Paul Willmott, Chair of the Central Digital and Data Office, will help Downing Street plan future changes in how digital is used to cut backlogs and improve outcomes.
Poppy Gustafson, founder of Darktrace, and Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, a prominent advocate for digital inclusion and skills, will also sit on the panel. The creation of this expert group is considered to be pivotal in achieving Labour’s goals of boosting the economy and improving access to public services.
Other members include: Jeni Tennison, Founder and Executive Director of Connected By Data, Lou Cordwell, Professor of Innovation at the University of Manchester, and Aaron Maniam, Fellow of Practice and Director of Digital Transformation Education at the Blavatnik School of Government.
David Eaves, Co-Deputy Director and Associate Professor at UCL; Sarah Hunter, Technology Policy Advisor and board member at ARIA and former-Director of Global Public Policy at X the Moonshot Factory; tech and growth advisor Lisa Harrington; People Consulting Partner at EY, Josie Cluer; and tech advisor Lord Richard Allan have also been confirmed for the panel.
This news comes after three Cabinet Office and 10 Downing Street units were brought under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of the wider plans for digital transformation of the public estate.
Currently, teams are responsible for building and maintaining GOV.UK, the main online platform used by the public to access services and information, leading more than 28,000 professionals across the project. AI tools are also being developed for a range of uses.
‘Poor technology slows down public services too often, when new tools should be cutting waiting lists and taking the burden from citizens and the taxpayer,’ said AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark. ‘That is why DSIT has become the centre for digital government.
‘We will be bold in our plans with this new responsibility, and the external expertise we are bringing in to advise us will help deliver on our shared ambitions to improve public services and drive sustainable growth that works for everyone,’ they continued.
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Image: GOV.UK
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