GDS creator makes 'shock' exit

Executive digital director of government Mike Bracken heading for the exit

The founder of the Government Digital Service, Mike Bracken, is planning to leave the government, in a move described as a shock announcement.

Bracken, the Cabinet Office's executive digital director, will leave at the end of September.

Bracken joined the government in 2011 and created the Government Digital Service, which is the home of G-Cloud and a number of other digital government projects.

Analyst TechMarketView was surprised by Bracken's announcement.

"In a shock announcement, Mike Bracken has said he will be leaving the Government Digital Service (GDS) at the end of September," said TMV research director Angela Eager. "There will be much speculation around the reasons for his departure. It will be interesting to see whether Bracken's departure indicates that the government-as-a-platform business cases have been less well received than expected. It might be that Bracken's departure triggers greater scrutiny still.

"Radical transformation across the public sector will need to go back to grass roots. How that is best achieved is still up for debate and looks like it might be something that Bracken sets about considering before he departs."

In a blog post about his departure, Bracken said the future looks bright for the government's digital masterplan.

"I'm leaving government's digital delivery in capable hands – especially with the support we are getting for the future of digital transformation from the new minister for the Cabinet Office, Matt Hancock," he said.

"The GDS leadership is strong, our plans are clear and focused, our people – and digital teams across government – are rolling up their sleeves to continue the work of transformation. One particular pleasure has been seeing new leaders emerging, and I can confidently say within GDS and departments we have many inspiring digital leaders from a range of disciplines, and many of them are women. I wish them every continuing success."