The Cabinet Office announced the appointment of Ian Watmore, currently UK managing director of Accenture, on 25 May, 2004. He is scheduled to move into the position in September.
Watmore holds a number of other positions, which include chair of the IT Industry Board of eSkills UK. He will be accountable to Douglas Alexander, minister for the Cabinet Office, and report to Sir Andrew Turnbull, the cabinet secretary. He will replace the outgoing e-envoy Andrew Pinder, although there will be changes in the job title and responsibilities.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, said: "I am delighted that Ian Watmore is to take up this role. He will be playing a pivotal role ensuring that IT supports the business transformation of government itself so that we can provide better, more efficient, public services."
Watmore said: "The head of e-government is one of the biggest and most challenging IT positions in the UK today.
"Douglas Alexander and Sir Andrew Turnbull have set a formidable challenge in not only driving up use of government services online but also driving change, reform and efficiencies throughout the public sector by using IT. I'm looking forward to starting in the position and supporting all the work that departments are delivering."
Prior to the new chief taking over, the Office of the e-Envoy (OeE) will become the e-Government Unit, which will be based in the Cabinet Office. Its role will be to work with government departments to deliver efficiency savings and join up e-services around the needs of customers. It will also provide sponsorship of information assurance.
Douglas Alexander said the change from the OeE to the e-Government Unit, which begins on 2 June, represents an increase in emphasis from getting services online to transforming delivery and improving operational efficiency. Its specific responsibilities will cover the following areas:
