Accenture chief named head of e-government

The Cabinet Office has announced that Ian Watmore, the UK managing director of IT services firm Accenture, is to become the head of e-government.

In his new role, Watmore faces the task of delivering efficiency savings while improving the delivery of public services by joining up electronic government services around the needs of customers.

Prime minster Tony Blair, who recently hinted that senior IT appointments would be made outside the civil service, welcomed the appointment.

"I am delighted that Ian Watmore is to take up this role," he said in a statement.

"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 task facing him was "formidable", but promised to focus on "driving change, reform and efficiencies throughout the public sector by using IT".

Departing e-envoy Andrew Pinder said that Watmore would inherit solid foundations as he looked to improve e-government.

"There are still huge opportunities for further progress, particularly in the effective use of ICT by the public sector," he said.

The Office of the e-Envoy will become the e-Government Unit from 2 June. Watmore will take up his post in September.