July date set for head of e-government

Whitehall officials will hold interviews next month for the 'most influential' job in UK IT - the head of e-government - with the appointee expected to start by late July.

Outgoing e-envoy Andrew Pinder confirmed that his departure would "roughly" coincide with the appointee taking up their post.

"I'm looking at some time around late July," he said.

Cabinet Office officials have just finished short-listing the applicants for the post, and candidates will be invited to interview in May.

The role was advertised as the "most influential in UK IT", but industry watchers have called for greater clarity as to whether it will have any clout.

"Exactly how much power, rather than just 'influence', the new head of e-government will have remains unclear," said Eric Woods, government practice director at analyst firm Ovum.

"But if the government really wants to achieve a step change in its e-government and IT programme it will have to ensure that this is a role with both power and responsibility."