Gordon Brown should use the opportunity of the Comprehensive Spending Review this summer to set out an economic policy that will enable Britain to flourish in the knowledge economy, The Work Foundation says today – 20 March 2007.
Sunderland was today unveiled as the winner of the government’s Digital Challenge competition. The Local Authority will receive £3m to deliver its plans for a digitally enabled community, which will benefit some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people in the area.
As the Digital Challenge winner, Sunderland will be a national exemplar of how ICT can be used to tackle social exclusion.
The Digital Challenge saw cities, towns and regions outline their visions for a digitally enabled society designed to better meet the needs of local communities and citizens. “All the finalists have led the way in the UK and should be seen as true regional digital inclusion champions”, said Angela Smith, Minister for Local eGovernment.
The Minister announced that the government will provide a £2m digital inclusion fund to support ongoing collaboration on digital inclusion and the ten finalists have agreed to establish a new organisation, called the DC10, to take this forward.
The Gospel of Inclusion, Guardian article, 21 March 2007
The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) today announced the appointment of former Ofcom Board Member and Chief Policy Partner, Kip Meek as Non-Executive Chair.
Kip will lead the BSG as it launches its work programme for 2007-08, and chair both the Executive Committee and Advisory Council.
Kip joins the BSG after four years at Ofcom where he took a leading role in developing Ofcom’s international strategy, including its participation in the review of the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive, the EU Telecommunications Framework, and the international Regional Radio Conference in 2006. He was also responsible for the Ofcom Content and Standards Group and for Ofcom’s Legal Group.
In addition, for the past year Kip was Chair of the European Regulators’ Group (ERG), overseeing Ofcom’s engagement with key European and International decision-making bodies.
Kip Meek, BSG Chairman said: “The UK has seen dramatic progress in broadband over the last few year, but there are substantial challenges ahead. We need our broadband services to keep pace with our global competitors while ensuring healthy competition and the widest possible availability. The BSG has a unique role in addressing these challenges and I’m looking forward to taking on this exciting opportunity”.
Antony Walker, BSG CEO, said: “Kip’s immense experience, expertise and reputation across the industry will be invaluable as the BSG tackles some of the big issues ahead including next generation broadband and the regulation of new media services. We look forward to working with him.”
Prior to joining Ofcom, Kip was Managing Director of Spectrum Strategy Consulting, and worked regularly in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. He had previously worked at Coopers & Lybrand in London, the Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Co and British Telecom. In May, Kip will also be joining the Board of Ingenious Media. He will take up his post with the BSG with immediate effect.
