National technology adviser Liam Maxwell is to move into a role focused on digital transformation in developing countries when he moves to Amazon Web Services (AWS) later this year.
While neither the company nor the Department for Digital, Media and Sport (DCMS) has yet issued a formal statement on his move, it is understood that he will be joining AWS as director of international government transformation.
This will involve working with governments in developing countries to support their transition to using cloud services.
He will not play any part in promoting the company’s services to the UK.
Both organisations are understood to be satisfied that the appointment is in line with the requirements on civil servants when moving into the private sector, under the rules on new jobs and business appointments for crown servants. The key feature is that he will not be able to take part in any lobbying of UK government for at least two years.
There have been indications that Maxwell is expected to make the move in October, with details to be published later as part of the DCMS quarterly transparency returns.
He has been a prime figure in shaping the Government’s approach since joining the Cabinet Office after the 2010 general election. In April 2016 he became national technology adviser working across the Cabinet Office and DCMS.
