Former CIO returns to Cabinet Office

He is to become the chief operating officer at the head of the new Efficiency and Reform Group, an appointment at permanent secretary level. The Cabinet Office said Watmore will work closely with its senior minister, Francis Maude and the chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, to coordinate the approach to tackling waste and improving accountability across government departments. This will include looking for efficiencies in ICT, procurement, project management, property and HR. Watmore first joined the Cabinet Office as government CIO in 2004, and then spent time as permanent secretary of Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. More recently, he was chief executive of the Football Association, a position from which he resigned earlier this year. Cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell said: "I am delighted that at this important time Ian Watmore has agreed to come back to the Civil Service to take on this challenging role. He will bring with him invaluable expertise from the business world, as well as significant experience of senior roles in government, both of which will be essential in driving forward tough efficiency measures across Whitehall." Watmore commented: "I believe that the Efficiency and Reform Group has a key role to play in securing value for money. By looking at innovative new ways of working we can make government more efficient and effective, as well as improving the delivery of public services."