Newly appointed area chamption Iain Stewart represents a constituency in Milton Keynes  Credit: PA

The government has appointed a champion to promote an area it hopes could come to represent “the UK’s Silicon Valley”.

Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South, has been given the task of working with public and private sector entities to drive technology innovation in the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor. 

He will be expected to “gather intelligence on local issues and update government” on his progress. Stewart will also be required to work with local authorities and the wider public sector throughout the region to create and promote a vision for the area. Attending various meetings and events and working with the media will also form part of the role.

“As someone who has lived and worked in the region for many years, I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to champion the government’s vision for the corridor,” he said. “It’s vital that government and communities work hand in hand to deliver economic growth, and I look forward to bringing together stakeholders and working to transform the corridor into the UK’s answer to Silicon Valley.”

His appointment was announced by communities secretary Sajid Javid, who also flagged up the potential for the region to become a major player in the tech scene.

“We know that this corridor has the potential to transform into a globally significant economy, [and] we must grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock growth,” he said. “We have a bold vision for the region and want to attract the brightest and the best. The appointment of Iain Stewart as a dedicated champion will help us work in partnership with communities and secure the corridor’s position as a world-class economic area, and a key driver of UK prosperity.”