Member Article

Report urges next Mayor of London to push tech

A report published by three tech and policy companies has urged the next London Mayor to go further in promoting the capital as a digital powerhouse.

The ‘Mayoral Tech Manifesto 2016’, which has been put together by Tech London Advocates, techUK and Centre for London, focused on five policy areas including future-proofing London, infrastructure, investment and funding, skills and immigration, and digital London.

Central to the report’s recommendations is the creation of a Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for London who would be responsible for ‘coordinating, developing and delivering a world-beating digital strategy for the city’.

Other recommendations include a digital inclusion strategy that puts digital opportunities in the hands of Londoners, championing London’s tech specialisms with international trade missions and the creation of an open digital charter.

Charlotte Holloway, associate director at techUK, commented on the report: “London’s fast-changing tech scene is looking for a Mayor with pro-innovation reflexes, who also understands how the latest in digital can benefit all Londoners.

“We need a forward-looking City Hall that leads by example, from championing Digital Government to opening up the City’s data to sticking up for London on the need for skilled migration.”

Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates, added: “The next Mayor of London will take office in the unrivalled digital capital of Europe. The technology sector represents the best of London business – driving innovation, job creation and economic growth across the capital.

“Over the past five years, the technology industry has become a community it is impossible for City Hall to ignore. Our Mayoral Tech Manifesto brings together the voice of the technology community and policy experts to articulate the challenges faced by the industry and what is required from the next Mayor of London to support this dynamic industry.”