More accessible and transparent public data for business growth
Ministers at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Cabinet Office have appointed Chairs to the Data Strategy Board and Public Data Group.
28 Jun 2012
Together, the new appointments will be responsible for maximising the value of public sector data. This includes making data more accessible and transparent in the four Trading Funds which make up the Public Data Group: Ordnance Survey, the Met Office, Land Registry and Companies House.
Data Strategy Board
Stephan Shakespeare is the new Chair for the Data Strategy Board (DSB). The DSB is a new Advisory Body set up to maximise value for data users across the UK, primarily from data that the Public Data Group (PDG) Trading Funds hold. It will also advise government on how best to prioritise investment in data and services for public sector use and to expand the opportunities for starting and growing a business in the UK.
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, who will oversee the Data Strategy Board, said:
“Stephan has an impressive track record in the digital world and I look forward to hearing his thoughts on how we can make the best use of open data.
“In particular his knowledge of the public data sphere will be vital in helping the public sector and businesses work together to get the maximum benefit and help stimulate economic growth.”
Stephan Shakespeare, Chair of the Data Strategy Board said:
“I am delighted to be asked to lead the new Data Strategy Board. We are at a very important moment when new access to valuable datasets and greater transparency across business and government can bring increased creativity and growth. I look forward to working with the Data Strategy Board to help deliver this goal.”
The first Data Strategy Board meeting is scheduled for 11 July. Join the #datastrategy conversation on Twitter.
Public Data Group
Claudia Arney will take up the post of Chair for the Public Data Group. The Group will support UK growth by delivering improvements in public services through collaborating across the PDG and the wider public sector.
Norman Lamb, Minister for Consumer Affairs, who will oversee the Public Data Group, said:
“Claudia Arney has excellent knowledge of the public data issues and her commercial experience will be crucial in leading the way to make data more freely available and working together with the different member bodies.
“The taxpayer will benefit in the long term from new revenue streams and better data efficiency, whether it’s at your local council or working with the private sector to deliver better public services. Today’s release of data by Companies House is also an excellent example of what’s been done already to increase access to data.”
Claudia Arney, Chair of the Public Data Group said:
“I look forward to working with the PDG member bodies and building on their capabilities and existing best practice to explore new innovative ways of making data more freely accessible to users.”
The Public Data Group Board will meet on 24 July.
Open Data white paper and Companies House data
Francis Maude has also launched the Open Data white paper on how the Government will ensure that everybody can benefit from the open data revolution by making data held by the public sector more accessible and more usable.
Companies House have released a new dataset of company data for free re-use. This will make it easier for people to access company data and help stimulate growth by allowing large and small businesses to use the data to develop new services.
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