Lesley Cowley OBE has been appointed by Technology Secretary
to chair Building Digital UK
(BDUK) – the government agency responsible for rolling out fast
and reliable broadband and mobile coverage to hard-to-reach
places across the UK.
The British businesswoman is widely regarded as an accomplished
leader in the digital and technology sectors, offering decades of
experience leading a variety of public services and businesses.
The role will see Lesley advise and support BDUK's executive team
on the delivery of BDUK's two main programmes: Project Gigabit,
the government's rollout of lightning-fast broadband to areas
that would otherwise be stuck with slower speeds, and the Shared
Rural Network, a joint programme with mobile network operators to
boost 4G mobile coverage in rural communities all over the
country.
Chair of BDUK Lesley Cowley OBE said:
It is a privilege to join Building Digital UK at such a pivotal
moment in its journey. The challenge of ensuring every corner of
the UK benefits from fast, reliable digital infrastructure is one
I am deeply passionate about.
BDUK is a critical enabler of the Prime Minister's Plan for
Change, helping to grow the economy while ensuring communities
are not left behind in the digital age. Working alongside the
talented team at BDUK, we will continue to deliver on our mission
of creating a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered
nation.
Technology Secretary said:
Lesley's commitment to making a positive difference to public
facing services, together with her track record in leading
digital transformation and delivering innovative solutions, make
her an outstanding choice for Chair of Building Digital UK.
She will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our growth
mission, by continuing to drive forward our ambitious plans for
better connectivity across the every part of UK, making
communities and businesses better off.
Lesley will take up the post on 1 July 2025, taking over from
Hazel Hobbs who has served as interim Chair since August 2024.
Her previous executive career culminated in her role as Chief
Executive Officer of Nominet, the .uk domain name registry, where
for over a decade she led significant growth and evolution from a
technical organisation into a key player in the global internet
space. She was appointed OBE in recognition of her services to
the internet and digital economy.
In her subsequent career, Lesley was the first Chair of
the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Chair
of Companies House and Lead Non-Executive Director and then first
ever Chair of The National Archives. Her current roles include
Chair of ACL Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Public Digital
Ltd., both private companies.
She was the Institute of Directors UK NED of the Year Winner,
2019 and has a strong track record of driving technology
transformation and customer-first approaches.
ENDS
Notes to editorsChair
appointment
The appointment is for a term of three years.
Building Digital UK
Building Digital UK (BDUK) is an executive agency of the
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It is
responsible for the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and the
expansion of 4G mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas of the UK.
BDUK works with suppliers and communities to ensure that people
can access fast and reliable digital connectivity that can
transform their lives and drive economic growth.
Project Gigabit
Project Gigabit is a government-funded programme to enable
hard-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable
gigabit-capable broadband. It targets homes and businesses that
are not included in broadband suppliers' commercial plans,
reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on
upgrades to next-generation speeds.
The connections delivered by Project Gigabit will benefit rural
and remote communities, as well as tackling pockets of poor
connectivity in urban areas. Project Gigabit is crucial to the
government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity and
kickstart economic growth across the country.
Shared Rural Network
Jointly funded by the government and the UK's main mobile network
operators, the Shared Rural Network is delivering new 4G coverage
to places where there is either limited or no 4G coverage at all.
The public and private investment in a shared network of phone
masts is driving increases in coverage across all four nations,
with the biggest coverage improvements in rural parts of
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
