E-envoy wannabes jostle for pole position

The Cabinet Office is remaining tight-lipped over who is likely to get the job. But sources suggest there are two clear favourites being tipped to get the post.

They are Ann Steward, currently director of e-government for the Cabinet Office, and Margaret Smith, director of business technology and delivery for Legal & General.

Steward, on secondment from the Australian Government and author of an influential review of Government IT projects, is possibly the most obvious choice if the government wants an internal appointment.

However the Cabinet Office has made it clear it wants an "open competition" for the post, encouraging applicants from outside the civil service.

Steward yesterday refused to confirm she was in the frame for the post.

Smith has made a reputation for herself as an ecommerce evangelist, and made the shortlist for the job last time it was offered.

She sits on a government board charged with designing the UK Online portal and is thought to have expressed an interest in the post if offered.

She told silicon.com: "I feel very strongly about making UK plc the best place for ebusiness - we have to apply the learning of ebusiness to all parts of the economy, public and private sector."

Jim Norton, head of ecommerce policy at the Institute of Directors, also narrowly missed out on the post last time, and is still interested in the position, but told silicon.com he may rule himself out because the brief is too large.

Rene Carayol, head of ebusiness consultancy Voodoo and former IT director for IPC Magazines, has also thrown his hat into the ring.

It is difficult to see who would have the necessary gravitas amongst both government and industry to fill the role.

Charlie Jaggard, managing consultant from headhunters STC Selection, said: "To find this kind of evangelist for everything ecommerce is not easy - there are not many around and they tend to be the entrepreneurial type, happier making their millions in the private sector."