Government appoints digital engagement director
Emer Coleman has experience in open data initiatives at the Greater London Authority
By Anh Nguyen | Computerworld UK | Published 13:20, 01 December 11
The Government Digital Service (GDS) has appointed Emer Coleman as deputy director of digital engagement.
She joins from the Greater London Authority, where she was director of digital projects for two years, working on opening up transport data.
“In that time my focus has been on London as a city, and how collaboration between technologists and the state can create conditions where innovation flourishes to the benefit of the citizen.
“I hope my experience in London will benefit GDS as it continues its journey to embed digital by default across the whole of government,” Coleman said.
According to digital director Mike Bracken, Coleman’s appointment will help the government “develop more products and services with partners and developers inside and outside government”.
Coleman was instrumental in creating the London Datastore at the GLA, an initiative to make the capital’s data public to enable creations of new apps.
Chancellor George Osborne pledged the government's commitment to opening up data in Tuesday's Autumn Statement, which included the creation of a a £10 million Open Data Institute, led by prominent technology entrepreneurs including Sir Tim Berners-Lee.
