Pinder named e-envoy

The high-profile position, which takes charge of co-ordinating government policy on e-government and ecommerce, has become increasingly focused on pushing through the government's revolution in internal IT.

This appointment is not expected to change that focus, with Pinder having come from within the civil service. However he has spent time as an IT director within industry, and is thought to be very IT-literate.

His appointment was made known to Cabinet Office staff Tuesday night, after months of speculation as to who would fill the role. IT industry figures had lobbied for a more evangelical role for the e-envoy, to ensure UK industry fulfilled its potential in the realm of ebusiness.