SapientNitro's David Thorpe joins UK Cabinet Office as deputy director of digital policy

Executive director of GDS, Mike Bracken, commented: “We are delighted to welcome David to the team, as he brings deep expertise in innovative business strategy and shares our mission to drive ‘digital by default’ standards across government. David was a natural choice based on his tremendous experience in helping public and private sector organizations to understand and adapt to complex changes in their business environments. That’s the kind of strategic expertise and drive we need to affect meaningful reform of the UK civil service.”

GDS hopes to create digital government services that will become citizens preferred option. Of his appointment Thorpe said: “It’s a privilege to work every day with a team that is breaking new ground in the design of world-class digital services. Governments everywhere need to be asking, ‘how can we empower and serve citizens better?’ The work at GDS is fundamentally rewriting the social contract between government and citizens by focusing on the evolving needs of the always-on user.”

Prior to joining SapientNitro Thorpe’s career includes tenures as partner and global lead at Ogilvy & Mather and Young & Rubicam. He also held senior riles at The New Yorker and Random House.

Global strategy lead at SapientNitro, Laura McFarlane, added: “We are proud to count David among our leaders, and know that his contributions to government service will be as profound as his work redefining how our own clients and brands connect to their customers.”