It's just been announced that Martha Lane Fox is stepping down from her role as the UK’s Digital Champion. Martha’s been an inspiration to us here at GDS, and the tremendous impact she’s had right across the civil service is worthy of someone who called for a ‘revolution’.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog then you’ll know how often we refer to Martha’s report. It’s impossible to overstate its importance to GDS.
It gave government the impetus to assemble this team, and it gave us a mission and a mandate to get on with making world-class, digital by default services.
We’re over two years into that job. The work involves people from all around government inspired by Martha to make radical changes to how we deliver public services. I’m pleased to say that there really is a digital culture right at the heart of government now, and that’s all down to Baroness Lane-Fox.
Personally Martha, I just want to say thanks. The last couple of years have been among the most rewarding - and challenging - I’ve ever had, and I’m here because of you.
You’ve been an invaluable ally, always challenging us to do better and always keeping us focused on what matters most; users.
Of course, this isn’t goodbye. I’m looking forward to working closely with you, our Digital Inclusion team, and with Go ON UK, to make sure everyone can make the most of the services we’re building.
From all of us here, good luck!
4 comments
Comment by Rebecca Buckingham posted on
Martha's success, and therefore this site's, is that she is one of the few people to pioneer content-up sites. User-focused, concise, vanity-free content is at the heart of gov.uk's digital revolution.
Comment by Rich Wilson posted on
:'( Sad day - Martha is always going to be driving the digital divide, she has started an electronic thump which has triggered a catalyst of digital education programmes both in professional classroom environments to frontline community centres in students own back yards. I wish her well in whatever direction she chooses. Thank you Martha - Best Wishes. Talk Talks North East Digital Hero - Rich Wilson
Comment by dmoore999 posted on
Great job Martha - looking forward to your next impacting role...
Comment by Chris Chant (@cantwaitogo) posted on
Fantastically inspirational Martha - Your help in setting up GDS and support getting Alpha implemented was personally invaluable