Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries has nominated Simon Blagden CBE to lead Building Digital UK (BDUK), the organisation in charge of carrying out the government’s roll out of faster broadband and mobile coverage throughout the UK.
Simon has worked in the IT, telecom, and digital industries for 30 years.
He served as Chairman of Fujitsu Telecommunications UK’s non-executive board for 14 years.
In his new position, he will be in charge of the executive agency managing both the £1 billion Shared Rural Network, which will crank up 4G phone coverage in rural areas, and Project Gigabit, the largest broadband rollout in British history, which is supported by a record $5 billion.
He became the CEO of Spescom, a Johannesburg-based company that specialises in business communications technology, in 2000 to oversee its global telecoms and IT operations.
He is still the chairman but without managerial powers of the management consulting firm Larkspur International.
He received a CBE in 2016 for his contributions to the economy.
The Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification (TSCD) Advisory Council Chair, a post he has held since last year, will retire.
The Advisory Council is a non-statutory advisory body made up of impartial members that was established to advise the government on ways to create a more innovative, varied, and safe telecoms supply chain.
Nadine Dorries, the digital secretary, said:
For the UK to have the super-fast broadband and mobile coverage necessary to enhance quality of life and boost productivity, BDUK is essential.
Because of his extensive experience in the telecoms industry and comprehensive grasp of the industry, Simon will be a very capable chair of BDUK.
He will oversee the group in charge of completing the largest digital connectivity projects in the nation, including our investments of £5 billion in Project Gigabit and $1 billion in the Shared Rural Network.
Simon Blagden CBE, the chairman of BDUK, said:
I’m excited to assume the position of BDUK Chair at this exciting time for the telecoms industry.
I’m resolved to use the knowledge I’ve acquired over the course of more than 30 years in the business to maximise BDUK’s potential and raise the calibre and ambition of our delivery.
“Communities have already benefited from gigabit-capable connections to their homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and libraries, from Perth in Scotland to Padstow in Cornwall.
My top objective will be to see that BDUK builds on these foundations and provides the crucial digital infrastructure for UK citizens, communities, and enterprises.