UKNM: The Government Internet Tzar

[Steve Bridger]

> Remember a few months back, well towards the end of last year the Government

> talked about appointing a special Internet Tzar for e-commerce and other

> Internet issues.

> 

> This person was supposed to start in April, but the question is have they

> actually appointed this person?

 

Leslie - Monday's FT reported that the Govt is expected to appoint the

UKs first "digital envoy" shortly - possibly as early as next week (see

below) ...


If you are thinking of going for it yourself, there may still be time.

Check out the JD here:

http://www.dti.gov.uk/e-envoy/


* * * * * * * * * 


NATIONAL NEWS: Government set to appoint first digital envoy

Financial Times ; 28-Jun-1999 


The government is expected shortly to announce the appointment of the

UK's first "digital envoy", who will be charged with fostering the

development of the electronic commerce sector.


Proposals to create the post, which is modelled on the role carved out

in the US by Ira Magaziner, President Clinton's special representative

on electronic commerce, were unveiled by Peter Mandelson in late

November, when he was still trade and industry secretary.


The job was advertised and attracted more than 90 applicants. However,

the calibre of aspirants was not as high as the government had hoped. It

proved difficult to persuade senior information technology executives to

relinquish highly-paid jobs in a fast-growing industry to take up an

ill-defined public sector role.


Earlier this year, the government is understood to have considered

offering the post to David Svendsen, former managing director of the UK

arm of Microsoft, the world's largest computer software company.


That idea was abandoned when officials realised how unpopular the

appointment would be within the IT industry, where the powerful

Microsoft group is nicknamed the "evil empire".


There were also informal discussions about the possibility of Mr

Mandelson taking the post, following his resignation from the cabinet

last December. Mr Mandelson would be a popular choice within the IT

sector, where he made a impression as a champion of e-commerce during

his short stint at the Department of Trade and Industry. However, it is

understood that the idea was swiftly dropped, as Mr Mandelson's next

official role would be likely to be more senior.


With no suitable candidates in sight for the envoyship, the government

has had to rethink its approach. An article in the latest issue of

E-Commerce Law & Policy, the specialist newsletter, suggests that

officials considered creating the position of digital minister,

upgrading the post from envoy status.


However, the government is understood to have decided to against

appointing a politician. It is in the final stage of redefining the

role, in the hope of announcing the appointment, probably as early as

next week.


* * * * * * * * * 


Steve Bridger

redefine ltd

e:

steveredefine [dot] co [dot] uk

w: http://www.redefine.co.uk 

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