Jason Kitcat to become responsible for digital innovation at Essex County Council
Jason Kitcat, a former leader of Brighton & Hove City Council and prominent advocate of digital technology in local government, is planning to join Essex County Council.
He is set to take on the role of lead for commercial and digital innovation, supporting the council’s digital strategy and Smart Essex agenda.
A spokesperson for Essex told UKAuthority that Kitcat will work closely with David Wilde, the council’s director for digital, who recently launched its Smart Essex programme.
“The scales, impact and complexity of digital impacts on everything we do and on how public services in Essex will operate in the future,” the spokesperson said. “David and Jason bring strong complementary skills and experience to play that span public, not-for-profit and the private sectors that will help us achieve our digital ambitions.
“David Wilde will be responsible for developing and delivering the programme as part of our management board, working with Jason Kitcat and other board members to ensure it is inclusive and successful in its ambition.”
Green background
Kitcat spent three years as leader of the Green Party administration in Brighton, standing down for the 2015 elections, following which he has been interim digital lead for campaigning group The Democratic Society and head of policy and public affairs at Crunch Accounting.
He has also worked for Netmums and been involved in the Open Rights Group and New Local Government Network, and has been one of the advocates of shared digital platforms and resources in local government.
He told the Brighton & Hove News: “I’m deeply enthused by the powerful vision of using collaboration and digital tools to become a council which, along with partners, better serves citizens by radically rethinking what public services can be.”
