Guardian Media's Mike Bracken to become government director of digital

The government has appointed Mike Bracken, director of digital development at the Guardian News and Media, to the new Cabinet Office role of executive director of digital.

Bracken will be responsible for overseeing the government's digital portfolio as well as extending the number of public services available online.

The role was created following the Martha Lane Fox review of Directgov, which recommended that Directgov be run by a new central team based in the Cabinet Office that would commission online information from other departments. She also recommended that all other digital communications should be brought into one place.

The proposal has been endorsed by a Cabinet sub-committee, and Bracken's role will combine the work of the chief executive of Directgov, the lead of cross-government digital reform work, and part of the work of the director for digital engagement and transparency.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. There is currently a revolution taking place in digital public service delivery, and to be offered this opportunity was an honour," said Bracken.

Bracken will join the Cabinet Office on 5 July, becoming responsible for over 100 staff and reporting to government chief operating officer Ian Watmore