E-envoy: Looking for a career change?

The recruitment ad, placed by Whitehead Mann GKR, says that the post will be within the Cabinet Office, with the successful applicant reporting directly to the Prime Minister.

Candidates must have board level experience in the private or public sector, and a "detailed understanding of issues and technologies affecting ecommerce".

The job comes with a salary of up to £120,000, with "additional rumuneration" available for an exceptional candidate. The government intends to offer the post on a fixed term or permanent basis, or on secondment from a current employer.

Names currently thought to be in the running include Richard Barrington, the current director of industry in the office of the e-envoy, Jim Norton, the head of ecommerce at the Institute of Directors, and Ann Steward, the head of e-government in the office of the e-envoy. An outside bet is Rene Carayol, former IT director at IPC Magazines and prominent industry commentator.