Government names Digital Britain report board members

The Government has named the board members who will compile its Digital Britain report.

The report, announced in October, will look at how British businesses and the public can benefit from digital communications. The board will develop a framework to implement the report's findings.

There are 11 members of the Steering Board, including Dr Tanya Byron, who compiled the Byron report. This looked at the risks to children from exposure to inappropriate material on the internet and in video games.

Peter Black, an independent telecommunications adjudicator, Barry Cox, chairman of Digital UK, and Robin Foster, an adviser on economic, policy and issues affecting the communications sector, will also be part of the board.

Also included are a number of journalists such as Matthew d'Ancona, editor of The Spectator, and Andrew Gowers, who is currently interim head of external relations at the London Business School. In 2005 he also compiled the Government-commissioned Gowers report, which reviewed the issues surrounding intellectual property.

Members of the digital industry such as Andrew Chitty, the managing director of digital media production company Illumina Digital, and the banking industry, including Francesco Caio, chairman of Nomura International, will also be on the board.

These, plus Ian McCulloch, a media consultant, and Stephen Temple, an advisor at communications watchdog Ofcom, will look at a range of issues affecting internet users, such as security and safety. They will also look at the barriers some people face when it comes to using digital technology.

Stephen Carter, minister for communications, technology and broadcasting, said: “Fully embracing a digital future is a must for any successful knowledge economy.

“The Steering Board will serve and advise the Digital Britain Report in its ambition and its practical recommendations.”

The report, which will be put together early next year, will also look at broadband development and how the service can be improved across the UK. It will also look at the digital switchover and digital radio platforms.