Digital industry body techUK has launched an independent advisory panel to provide advice on how to make Brexit work for the sector.

Former civil service head Lord O’Donnell is among the Brexit panel members- Photo credit: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/Press Association Images 

The new panel, made up of experts from business, government and academia, will provide a voice to the digital industry as policymakers negotiate the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The announcement comes as the sector awaits publication of the government’s digital strategy after months of delay caused by the Brexit referendum and changes to leadership at the Government Digital Service.

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TechUK chief executive Julian David, said: “It is fantastic that these experts will help shape our work on ensuring we have a Brexit that works for the most dynamic and fast-moving part of the UK economy, providing greater insights on the impacts of exiting the European Union on the UK tech sector. 

 “It is critical that we not only make a success of Brexit for the tech sector, but help other industries successfully navigate the process and create a landscape that allows us to capitalise on the benefits of the digital economy for all.”

Members of the panel are:

• Lord O’Donnell, Chairman, Frontier Economics and former Head of UK Civil Service
• Syed Kamall MEP, Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists
• Professor Diane Coyle, Professor of Economics, University of Manchester
• Vicky Pryce, Board Member, Centre for Economic and Business Research
• Tom Hulme, General Partner, GV
• Tudor Aw, Partner (Technology Sector Head), KPMG LLP
• Ruth Boardman, co-head International Data Protection Practice, Bird & Bird LLP
• Rachel Coldicutt, Chief Executive Officer, Doteveryone 

 Lord O’Donnell said: “The UK is a world leading tech hub and its digital businesses will be vital to the UK’s economic success post Brexit.

“Over the months ahead digital businesses will need to work closely with government to help navigate a route through to a smooth exit from the European Union.

Vicky Price said: “Productivity and growth depend crucially on the extent of innovative activity in an economy.

“Anything that could potentially constrain investment in technology and adversely impact competitiveness would be bad for the UK economy as a whole.”