Ex-government CIO drafted into Efficiency and Reform group

Ian Watmore's appointment emphasises role of IT in finding efficiencies

Ian Watmore appointed to Efficiency and Reform group

Former government CIO Ian Watmore has been drafted into the cabinet-based Efficiency and Reform group. He will take on the role of chief operating officer and has been appointed at a permanent secretary level.

Arguably the appointment reflects the coalition’s drive to find cost savings from better use of IT and follows its Cabinet Office Structural Reform plan last week which set out ways to reduce annual spend on IT.

Watmore will work closely with senior minister Francis Maude and Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, to co-ordinate the approach to tackling waste and improving accountability across government departments.

The Efficiency and Reform group is tasked with finding efficiencies in IT, procurement, project management, property and HR.

Watmore first joined the Cabinet Office as government CIO in 2004, and then spent time as permanent secretary of the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Watmore was quoted in public sector newswire Kable as saying: "I believe that the Efficiency and Reform group has a key role to play in securing value for money. By looking at innovative new ways of working we can make government more efficient and effective, as well as improving the delivery of public services."