The government has announced Matthew Gould will become the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)'s director general for digital and media, helping to drive forward its plans to make the UK a global power in technology.
His job will be to ensure the government can fulfill its promises to train the nation in skills related to digital technology as set out in the department's digital and media policy brief.
This relates to other initiatives by the government, which aim to ensure everyone has access to world-class connectivity, helping British businesses install the infrastructure they need to become world leaders and turning ideas into the next big success.
The government also aims to reduce the number of people excluded from the digital economy. The overall challenge is to create an innovation-friendly and cyber-secure country, Gould explained. His experience as director of cybersecurity and information assurance at the Cabinet Office will put him in good stead to fulfill the role, he added.
"Our economy is powered by innovation and we want Britain to be the safest place to do business and go online. But if we want the UK to prosper we need to make sure we have world-class connectivity, and If we want an inclusive society, we need to tackle digital exclusion and make sure everyone has the digital skills they need," Gould said.
"I'm determined to tackle these challenges to help make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a digital company. It is a huge privilege to be the Government's first Director General for Digital and Media and to have the chance to help make this happen."
Gould will work with Liam Maxwell, the government's national technology adviser, and Antonia Romeo, the government's special envoy to US technology companies.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
-
Starmer bets big on AI to unlock public sector savingsNews AI adoption could be a major boon for the UK and save taxpayers billions, according to prime minister Keir Starmer.
-
UK government targets ‘startup’ mindset in AI funding overhaulNews Public sector AI funding will be overhauled in the UK in a bid to simplify processes and push more projects into development.
-
UK government signs up Anthropic to improve public servicesNews The UK government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Anthropic to explore how the company's Claude AI assistant could be used to improve access to public services.
-
US government urged to overhaul outdated technologyNews A review from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found legacy technology and outdated IT systems are negatively impacting efficiency.
-
Government urged to improve tech procurement practicesNews The National Audit Office highlighted wasted money and a lack of progress on major digital transformation programmes
-
Government says new data bill will free up millions of hours of public sector timeNews The UK government is proposing new data laws it says could free up millions of hours of police and NHS time every year and boost the UK economy by £10 billion.
-
Three giant tech challenges the UK’s new government faces right nowOpinion Five years starts now, and there’s not a second to waste
-
G-Cloud 13: UK government 'inhibiting' cloud SMEs' ability to adapt to harsher business landscapeNews Suppliers on the cloud services portal have hit out at an extension to the current iteration of G-Cloud
