The role of the centre in government IT

Government IT faces the twin challenges of needing to become much more cost effective whilst developing flexibility to respond to new opportunities and complex evolving problems.

These challenges have led to seemingly incompatible solutions: a common platform and firm control on the one hand and devolved and agile IT on the other.

This seminar presented the view that though there are tensions to be balanced to between these two approaches, Government can, and must, pursue both solutions.

Format & speakers

There was a short presentation of the views for discussion from the Institute team followed by a response from each of our speakers:

• The Centre - Ian Watmore (Government COO and Head of the Efficiency and Reform Group)
• The Department - Annette Vernon (Home Office CIO - on sabbatical)
• The Private Sector - John Keeling (Director of Computer Services, John Lewis Partnership)
• The Academic Community - Roger James (Professor of Computer Science, University of Southampton)