London creates digital advisory board

Johnson's economic advisor Anthony Browne will chair the board, which includes eight digital professionals, some of whom have already helped and supported the work of the London Datastore, the capital's website for the re-use of authority data. As well as supporting the progression of the London Datastore , the board will also advise on the mayor's digital projects including WiFi London, the London Card and the proposed non-emergency number for the capital. The Greater London Authority wants the board members to reflect the views of social innovators in London and advise on relevant technical developments. "We have begun the process of transforming the way in which information is shared between the government and the public and it has already paid huge dividends with some incredibly exciting new applications being developed at no cost to the public purse," said Browne. "The technical expertise of the digital advisory board will be a huge asset in helping us build on the work we have done and to achieve a data movement in London that rivals that of any other big city in the world." Members of the board will include: Jonathan Raper, professor of geographic information science at City University London; Emma Mulqueeny, founding director of Rewired State; Paul Clarke, a technology and organisational strategist; Chris Thorpe, a former research scientist; Mike Butcher, editor of technology blog TechCrunch Europe; Toby Barnes, managing director of the Mudlark Production Company; Chris Taggart, developer behind OpenlyLocal.com; and Christopher Osbourne, business development director for ITO World.