Oliver Dowden appointed as new DCMS Secretary
University of Cambridge alumnus assumes position as part of reshuffle in UK government
Former Paymaster General Oliver Dowden has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle, which was revealed earlier today.
Dowden, who has served as MP for Hertsmere since 2015, replaces the outgoing Nicky Morgan, who decided not to stand for re-election in the run up to the general election in December. Morgan has since been made a peer and has taken temporary charge of the DCMS until a successor was appointed.
The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP @oliverdowden has been appointed Secretary of State @dcms pic.twitter.com/vX91VDH45L
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 13, 2020
The 41-year-old moves from his role as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General.
Dowden has not voted on any gambling-related legislation previously and only joined Twitter in September 2019.
Oliver Dowden didn’t have Twitter before September 2019. He’s now leading the government’s work on digital regulations. https://t.co/cFQQPaD819
— Sam Bright (@WritesBright) February 13, 2020
Dowden becomes the third MP to occupy the post in the space of 12 months, with Nicky Morgan replacing Jeremy Wright in July 2019.
UK gambling industry trade body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) welcomed the arrival of Dowden to the post.
BGC CEO Michael Dugher said: “We welcome Oliver Dowden’s appointment. He has a formidable reputation in Westminster and Whitehall and we look forward to working closely with the new Secretary of State and the DCMS team as the government’s review of the Gambling Act gets underway.”
Dugher also placed on record his thanks to Morgan, adding: “I’d also like to record my thanks to Nicky Morgan, who has done an excellent job in her time as secretary of state.”