Government hires Twitter tsar

 

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By Jennifer Scott

Posted on 15 May 2009 at 14:16

The UK Government has hired a director of Digital Engagement, with a mandate to push a greater use of internet communications.

Reports suggest that Andrew Stott, currently the Government's deputy chief information officer, will be paid £160,000 year to take up the role based with Government Communications in the Cabinet Office.

A statement from the Cabinet Office says the remit of the job is to "work across Government departments to encourage, support and challenge them in moving from communicating to citizens on the web to conversing and collaborating with them through digital technology."

His role includes keeping the new Twitter account, @DirDigEng, up to date. It is also thought he will open communication channels on Facebook on other social networking sites.

Stott will also encourage greater use of these tools among civil servants.

"I am delighted that Andrew Stott will be leading on these vital programmes for government," says Minister for Digital Engagement, Tom Watson. "Together we will transform the way that government engages with citizens through the internet and free up government data, so that people can use public services more effectively."