Prime Minister Tony Blair has appointed Andrew Pinder to replace Alex Allen, the first E-envoy, who resigned in October last year. The appointment was due to be made in December, but despite a large number of candidates for the 120,000 pounds a year post, it has been difficult to find someone with suitable capabilities. Andrew Pinder has been acting E-envoy since October and it is understood that originally he did not wish to be considered for the post.He brings Government and private sector experience to the job. He spent 18 years in the Inland Revenue and became Director of IT. This was followed by Director of Operations and Technology at Prudential Corporation, and then he was head of European Operations and Technology at Citibank.

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Adverts in The Guardian, Sunday Times and the enthnic press inviting employers to recommend senior managers to serve in the Department for Employment and Education on secondment, marks a re-launch of the campaign to make diversity a reality in the civil service. Diversity was put on the civil service reform agenda in 1999 as one of six key issues to make the civil service fit for the 21st century. Progress has been slow and it has been difficult to move attitudes on from equal opportunities, which is concerned to eliminate discrimination, to diversity which ensures the organisation reflects society and makes use of all talent.Secondments will be for between 6 months and 2 years. The Department is looking for people with a strong track record in senior management who have proven leadership and communication skills. They also need to be quick at understanding a brief, good at project management and able to work with a range of partners and customers.

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