What I think of Andrew Stott, the new Director of Digital Engagement
It turns out I was right. The new Director of Digital Engagement is someone I already kinda know.
I’ve met been in the same room as Andrew Stott twice.
Once at the most recent government Heads of e-Communications group meeting (next week I will attend my first of these as an actual head of e-comms) where he spoke, and once more since in Lord Mandelson’s office, around the table with Tom Watson.
I’m also a big fan of his ambient dub masterpieces Merciless and Unknown Exception …oh, no wait, that’s the other one.
So what do I make of his appointment today as the “first” (note the optimistic wording in the twitter exclusive) Director of Digital Engagement?
I certainly found him an impressive and knowledgeable force in both the rooms mentioned above and welcome the fact that the new Director is someone who can hit the ground running. I can understand the arguments from the doubting Thomasses but am much reassured that those who have worked closest to Andrew are supporting him as a good choice.
So what do I think? Mostly I think this:
I’m glad the post exists.
I’m really glad it’s been filled – which in itself can’t have been easy.
I’m open-minded about who has filled it, have good reason to expect good things from Mr Stott, don’t envy him his daunting task, and vote we make the best of this opportunity.
I wish to God they had set up a better Twitter account than @DirDigEng and have suggested that @andrewstott be set up urgently.
I think the new blog looks like a big step in the right direction, and will watch with interest.
I hope Andrew will be able to make a real difference in helping us practitioners drive forward the digital engagement agenda. It’ll be great having someone with the clout to get things done.
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Comments
[...] I think Andrew is a good choice. Not who I’d have expected, but good nonetheless. As numerous people have said, he is very qualified, does have a brain the size of a planet, and has lots of experience [...]
why did Andrew Stott not apply for the job? It seems he was quitely ushered in when no one else wanted it. Is this within the civil service rules?
@Emma – I’m all about those POIT recommendations. I thought the team were spot on, and yes, if AS does just what’s needed to get those moving forwards without barriers and nothing more, he’ll have changed a lot about the way democracy is done in this country.
@Jamie – the idea that he didn’t apply and go through the due process sounds like the very wildest of wild speculation to me.
I just hope he gets through to gov that there is no digital engagement without a decent connection, and future apps will demand even greater bandwidth. There is no point in having a digitally engaged government with only customers sat near exchanges. 30 million homes without the 2meg minimum now. In 2012 this country will be a laughing stock if our aspirations are set as low as a 2meg USO. The copper network is obsolete. Government think it is fine. Government think microsoft is fine. Time to get real. If Andrew is as good as you all hope then I hope he can see through the crap that BT spout. We need fibre to all the homes in the land, and as soon as possible. Fibre is cheap. BT already have ducts and wayleaves. Replace the copper with fibre, employ those out of work to do it, and then we have a true digitalbritain. Power to the people.
Hello, I'm Neil Williams. I'm a government web geek, a dad, a husband, a grower of veg, a keeper of hens and a lapsed comedy writer, roughly in that order. 
Neil (thanks for the ping) I am still digesting the news, simply because now that someone is appointed, I can really think of this as a proper job. (does that make sense?)
We must remember that he is the director, not necessarily the doer, and certainly not the Czar or anything as ridiculous.
What I like is that the POIT peeps have a leader they know and trust and who will make sure that the recommendations they made will be worked through.
TBH, if those recommendations become a reality, and that is all Andrew makes happen… well, that is an incredible achievement and totally a giant leap forward. Um… possibly even more than that, this becomes properly embedded policy.
Must revisit those recommendations
here you go http://poit.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/poit/category/final-recommendations/