Member Article

Appointments to drive public sector data initiative

New appointments to the Data Strategy Board and Public Data Group will help to maximise the value of public sector data.

Stephan Shakespeare is the new Chair for the Data Strategy Board (DSB), the new advisory body set up to maximise value for data users across the UK, primarily from data that the Public Data Group (PDG) Trading Funds hold.

Claudia Arney will also become Chair for PDG, and will seek to support growth in the UK by delivering improvements in public services through collaborating across the PDG and the wider public sector.

Together, the appointments will be responsible for maximising the value of public sector data, by making it more accessible and transparent in the four Trading Funds which make up the Public Data Group: Ordnance Survey, the Met Office, Land Registry and Companies House.

The announcement comes as Francis Maude launches the Open Data White Paper, which sets out how the Government will ensure maximum benefit from open data by making public sector held data more accessible and usable.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, who will oversee the Data Strategy Board, said: “Stephan has an impressive track record in the digital world and I look forward to his advice on how we can make the best use of open data.

“In particular his knowledge of the public data sphere will be vital in helping the public sector and businesses work together to get the maximum benefit and help stimulate economic growth.”

Norman Lamb, Minister for Consumer Affairs, who will oversee the Public Data Group, said: “Claudia Arney has excellent knowledge of the public data issues and her commercial experience will be crucial in leading the way to make data more freely available and working together with the different member bodies.

“The taxpayer will benefit in the long term from new revenue streams and better data efficiency, whether it’s at your local council or working with the private sector to deliver better public services.”

“Today’s release of data by Companies House is also an excellent example of what’s been done already to increase access to data.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .