Credit: Crown Copyright/Open Government Licence v3.0

Lord Theodore Agnew has assumed ministerial responsibility for the Government Digital Service, PublicTechnology has learned.

In addition to overseeing the work of the digital agency, it is understood that Agnew will also take on responsibility for efficiency, reform and the eight cross-government functions that are led from the Cabinet Office, or one of its specialist agencies, such as the Crown Commercial Service, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, and the Government Property Agency.

But, unlike those who have held equivalent posts before him, he will serve as a minister of state for both the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

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Agnew (pictured above) becomes the ninth person within a five-year timeframe to hold the ministerial reins of GDS. His two immediate predecessors were among the shortest serving, with Simon Hart and, latterly, Jeremy Quin racking up a cumulative tenure of just six months between them.

Before being appointed to the joint-departmental role, Agnew spent three years at the Department for Education as the minister for the school system. 

He joined the House of Lords as a Conservative life peer in 2017 and his full title is The Lord Agnew of Oulton DL.

Prior to entering parliament, 59-year-old Agnew also served both the Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice as a non-executive board member. 

Earlier in his career, he founded and grew several businesses, including insurance claims management firm Town and Country Assistance – which was then sold to outsourcing firm WNS in 2002, with Agnew joining the management team of the acquirer. In 2007 he founded private equity outfit Somerton Capital.