One of the most important figures in Greater Manchester鈥檚 digital sector is to leave his role this week.
After eight years at Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Phil Swan will be leaving his post as director of digital on February 13th.
He鈥檒l be taking up a new position at Government Digital Service (GDS) as the director with responsibility for GDS Local, service standards, inclusive digital design, and pan鈥慓overnment digital capability.
GDS local is a new unit within the Government Digital Service (GDS) that brings central and local government together to deliver the ambitions set out in the blueprint for a modern digital government.
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Swan said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a real privilege to lead digital services at GMCA and help shape and deliver on the Greater Manchester Digital Blueprint. I鈥檓 hugely proud of what we鈥檝e achieved, but even more proud of the collaborative, can鈥慸o way Greater Manchester works. It鈥檚 a special place.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing to work with so many talented and committed people across the city region and beyond.
鈥淭ogether we鈥檝e pushed forward on digital inclusion, opened up more pathways into tech and data jobs, strengthened digital infrastructure, and enable better public services 鈥� all with the goal of improving people鈥檚 lives.
鈥淭he digital team at GMCA is flying and I鈥檓 pleased to be leaving it in safe hands with聽 Joanna Munnelly and Kieran Smith holding the reins while permanent arrangements are put in place.
鈥淎lthough I鈥檓 moving on, I鈥檒l still be just round the corner – based in Manchester – and joining the growing DSIT team here.
鈥淚鈥檒l miss GMCA and everyone I鈥檝e worked with, but I鈥檓 really looking forward to this new challenge and the chance to support digital transformation at both local and national level, helping turn the ambition behind the blueprint for modern digital government into reality.
鈥淎 heartfelt thank you to everyone I鈥檝e worked with – across GMCA, all 10 boroughs, our partners, and networks. I鈥檓 looking forward to staying in touch and continuing to collaborate with many of you, just from a new perspective.鈥�
Swan鈥檚 career includes ICT strategy and implementation work for Accenture, an MBA from Cambridge University, founding and exiting a SME, and leading the Tameside Council-based public sector innovation partnership 鈥榠Network鈥� over several years.