The UK government has named Liam Maxwell, currently deputy government CIO, as its first ever cross departmental chief technology officer.

In his new role, Maxwell will report to Mike Bracken, executive director of the Government Digital Service, the department responsible for implementing the government’s ‘digital by default’ strategy.

The IT Reform group, of which Maxwell was executive director, will be folded into GDS. Maxwell will also lead a council of departmental CTOs.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson told Information Age that as deputy CIO, Maxwell was “effectively also discharging responsibilities equivalent to a CTO”.

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Maxwell as chief technology officer for HM Government,” said Stephen Kelly, the government’s chief operating officer. “Each department already has its own CTO or someone approximating to that role.

“Working together, Liam, government CIO Andy Nelson, the CTOs and Digital Leaders will form a powerful combination to achieve the transition to digital by default.”

A recent paper from the government claimed that the ‘digital by default’ strategy could save £1.8 billion per year. It’s recommendations include the appointment of non-technical ‘service manager’ roles across government to take responsibility for public, digital services.

Maxwell was last seen driving the strategy to make open standards mandatory in central government IT systems.

Previously, Maxwell was a Tory party councillor and the head of ICT at Eton College.