Chief Digital Officer for London

Marking London's progress in digital connectivity, innovation, data & digital inclusion over 2024. Read our playback from City Hall 👇 www.medium.com/@chiefdigitalofficer4london/2024-london-chief-digital-officer-playback-439ede9c047c

Don't miss this must-read article by Theo Blackwell @ldncdo.bsky.social on why devolution needs data to succeed, alongside shifting power & funding to local leaders, & why a ‘government that does not grasp the data challenge limits its own impact’ 🔽 futuregovforum.substack.com/p/devolution...

London will not tolerate criminal behaviour. The Met’s new Sur-Ron e-bikes are already proving their value in helping officers go after offenders using e-bikes. With the fleet now expanded, we can build on progress tackling robbery and phone theft to help make our streets safer.

The loudest voices online aren't always the most accurate. New data shows our homicide rate is lower than every US state, while murder rates are at record lows. The evidence is clear: our approach to tackling crime and its causes works. It’s driving down violence right across the capital.

“The wand chooses the wizard.” 🪄 And in this case, it chose Oxford Street. Congratulations to Warner Bros on the UK’s largest Harry Potter shop. Another brilliant new destination for the West End, and proof that Oxford Street is well and truly on the up.

A decade ago, London had 90km of Cycleways. Today, that figure stands at 450km. More Londoners than ever are choosing to cycle, proof that investment in safer cycling infrastructure is making a real difference.

Devolution needs data to succeed: @ldncdo.bsky.social Theo Blackwell explains why devolution requires data as well as powers and money; and why ‘practical devolution needs a centre that is more, not less, active in a rewired state’ to achieve this 🔽 futuregovforum.substack.com/p/devolution...

Cheaper bus fares across the country are good for people's pockets - and the climate. As we’ve seen in London through my fare freezes and the introduction of the Hopper fare, cheaper bus journeys mean more people choose public transport.

No cheat codes needed - London is one of the world’s leading cities for games makers and the London Games Festival is a big part of that success. Its move to the Business Design Centre will allow the festival to welcome even more international visitors. www.gamesindustry.biz/london-games...

In the run up to #LondonDataWeek, it was a privilege to welcome representatives from over 20 cities to London for a Google for Cities event discussing how better public/private partnerships can use data & AI to help build greener, cleaner, healthier cities for all. @ldncdo.bsky.social

Join us at London Data Week, starting tomorrow. 50+ events across the city - something for everyone! 👇👇👇

Thank you, Tokyo 🇯🇵 London is looking East. In a changing world, building strong global connections is essential to secure the investment, high-skilled jobs, and innovation that will keep London competitive.

London 🤝 Singapore. This is what it looks like when two global powerhouses unite. Delighted to be here to bang the drum for London and supercharge the strong ties between our countries.

Help shape the Mayor's AI and Jobs Taskforce to understand the impact of AI on Londoners’ jobs, and how we can support: what's AI actually doing to your work, your sector, your city? Take our @mayoroflondon.bsky.social survey; join the online discussion; RT! www.london.gov.uk/talk-london/...

If you’ve chosen to live in the centre of the greatest city in the world, expect the nightlife to match.

Support the young men in your life to recognise harmful content when they see it online. Use our new conversation tool, the N.O.I.S.E check: www.london.gov.uk/ignore-the-n...

The manosphere is targeting young people online. Here’s how London’s fighting back.

Being a teenager is tough at the best of times - now the manosphere is offering young men simple but harmful answers to their struggles. I wrote for LBC about what tech companies and others must do to ensure we avoid a lost generation of young men.

Tech companies cannot keep turning a blind eye while harmful content is pushed to young people by algorithms designed to keep them hooked. Until platforms can prove they are safe for children, a ban for under 16s is the only way to stem the harms we know are happening.

The Soho Society's decision to oppose all new and extended license applications is the wrong one - it's bad for London.

My message to young men: ignore the noise online and trust your own voice.

Islington was painted red today, as generations of fans lined the streets to celebrate Arsenal men’s team winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, and the women’s team clinching the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 🏆

The State of London Debate is back. Join us to discuss what’s ahead for London’s housing, policing, economy and more. Be a part of the conversation online on Wednesday 3 June.

Help shape the Mayor's AI and Jobs Taskforce to understand the impact of AI on Londoners’ jobs, and how we can support: what's AI actually doing to your work, your sector, your city? Take our @mayoroflondon.bsky.social survey; join the online discussion; RT! www.london.gov.uk/talk-london/...

Let it be clear: you are wanted here.

"I mostly post to get a reaction for the sake of engagement which boosts my followers and money” says AI faker paid through Instagram's monetisation scheme. Learn more about the online outrage economy in this BBC report citing work by @london.gov.uk www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

NEW: we're supersizing the Hopper fare to put money back into Londoners' pockets this summer. Look out for our fun 🐸 buses.

Good use of the GLA City Intelligence Unit to analyse the data. www.ft.com/content/4f95...

Big intervention on social media companies and disinformation by @london.gov.uk 👇

Working in local gov tech adoption for 15+ years, I've never seen anything move as fast as AI did across London boroughs this year. Read about this and more in my end of year review chiefdigitalofficer4london.medium.com/chief-digita...

NEW: Plans are underway for a tourist levy to supercharge London's economy. It could raise *millions* to fund major improvements in our city. London is the greatest city in the world, but there’s always more to do! A tourist levy would make it an even better place to live and visit for everyone.

GDS Local goes live - new team to support local government transformation gds.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/24/g...

In London, hate will never win.

We must unite against those who seek to divide us.

Congratulations to Claire Waxman on her new role as National Victims Commissioner. Her commitment as London Victims' Commissioner has brought significant changes here and across the country, and I know she will continue to build a criminal justice system that is fit for purpose.

Ignore the haters. London is the 🐐

Hey @cthimon.bsky.social @ldncdo.bsky.social We'd really appreciate it if you could share the post below with your followers and @bowsy.co.uk, @derekalton.bsky.social and @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social would like to extend you a personal invite too! We hope to see you there! 👋

Small but important project released by my team this week. The new (simplified) London Broadband Connectivity Map: apps.london.gov.uk/connectivity/ Click or search to find levels of availability and unavailability in your Postcode, Ward or Borough. #LDN @ldncdo.bsky.social @ldndata.bsky.social

Welcome to Data for London and the new city dataset library👇 www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/c...

Many years in the making this. The first small - but significant - step in overhauling London’s city data infrastructure is live at dfl.London.gov.uk