Watmore says new job boosts Whitehall’s drive for change

Former head of egovernment Ian Watmore says his promotion to lead the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (PMDU) will reinforce the government’s focus on IT-enabled transformation.

Under his leadership the Cabinet Office eGovernment Unit (eGU) published the first ever Whitehall IT strategy at the end of October, and in his new job Watmore will continue to play an active role in its delivery.

‘I am not moving on, I am moving up – which means I am not leaving the transformational government agenda behind,’ Watmore told Computing.

The new head of eGU, who could be appointed as early as April, will report to Watmore in the PMDU.

‘The new structure will be better because the head of eGU will now be reporting directly into the area concentrating on delivery, which is the issue that needs to be focused on,’ said Watmore.

‘In the past the eGU and the PMDU were two separate units. By joining them together we are strengthening the focus on delivery through technological transformation.’

The PMDU was set up to ensure the delivery of key business priorities set out by the Prime Minister. While maintaining this role, under Watmore the unit will also implement the Whitehall capability review introduced by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell, and deliver the eGU strategy.

‘My personal view has always been not just to have technology for technology’s sake, but to try to make sure it is used to deliver the transformation of government itself,’ said Watmore.

‘What I’m trying to do is make sure technology is a part of delivering public services, but that it is linked with all the other aspects that need to be right.

‘Everything needs to be in alignment – having a good strategy, having well-formed policy, having the people and processes lined up, and having the technology as well.’