Lesley Cowley OBE has been appointed by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to chair Building Digital UK (BDUK) – the government agency responsible for rolling out fast and reliable broadband and mobile coverage to hard-to-reach places across the UK.
The British businesswoman is widely regarded as an accomplished leader in the digital and technology sectors, offering decades of experience leading a variety of public services and businesses.
The role will see Lesley advise and support BDUK’s executive team on the delivery of BDUK’s two main programmes: Project Gigabit, the government’s rollout of lightning-fast broadband to areas that would otherwise be stuck with slower speeds, and the Shared Rural Network, a joint programme with mobile network operators to boost 4G mobile coverage in rural communities all over the country.
Chair of BDUK Lesley Cowley OBE said:
It is a privilege to join Building Digital UK at such a pivotal moment in its journey. The challenge of ensuring every corner of the UK benefits from fast, reliable digital infrastructure is one I am deeply passionate about.
BDUK is a critical enabler of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, helping to grow the economy while ensuring communities are not left behind in the digital age. Working alongside the talented team at BDUK, we will continue to deliver on our mission of creating a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
Lesley’s commitment to making a positive difference to public facing services, together with her track record in leading digital transformation and delivering innovative solutions, make her an outstanding choice for Chair of Building Digital UK.
She will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our growth mission, by continuing to drive forward our ambitious plans for better connectivity across the every part of UK, making communities and businesses better off.
Lesley will take up the post on 1 July 2025, taking over from Hazel Hobbs who has served as interim Chair since August 2024.
Her previous executive career culminated in her role as Chief Executive Officer of Nominet, the .uk domain name registry, where for over a decade she led significant growth and evolution from a technical organisation into a key player in the global internet space. She was appointed OBE in recognition of her services to the internet and digital economy.
In her subsequent career, Lesley was the first Chair of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Chair of Companies House and Lead Non-Executive Director and then first ever Chair of The National Archives. Her current roles include Chair of ACL Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Public Digital Ltd., both private companies.
She was the Institute of Directors UK NED of the Year Winner, 2019 and has a strong track record of driving technology transformation and customer-first approaches.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Chair appointment
The appointment is for a term of three years.
Building Digital UK
Building Digital UK (BDUK) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It is responsible for the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and the expansion of 4G mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas of the UK. BDUK works with suppliers and communities to ensure that people can access fast and reliable digital connectivity that can transform their lives and drive economic growth.
Project Gigabit
Project Gigabit is a government-funded programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband. It targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ commercial plans, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades to next-generation speeds.
The connections delivered by Project Gigabit will benefit rural and remote communities, as well as tackling pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas. Project Gigabit is crucial to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and kickstart economic growth across the country.
Shared Rural Network
Jointly funded by the government and the UK’s main mobile network operators, the Shared Rural Network is delivering new 4G coverage to places where there is either limited or no 4G coverage at all.
The public and private investment in a shared network of phone masts is driving increases in coverage across all four nations, with the biggest coverage improvements in rural parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
