Will Cavendish

Dr Will Cavendish was director general for innovation, growth and technology at the Department of Health until February 2016. Between February and September 2016 he was seconded to the Cabinet Office to lead short-term projects.

Roles outside government

In September 2016, Dr Cavendish sought the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) on taking up an appointment as director of strategy at Google DeepMind (GDM), a technology company in the field of artificial intelligence. ACOBA noted that had not had any previous direct contractual dealings with GDM, though had had some contact with a separate sub organisation called Alphabet. ACOBA approved the appointment on condition that Dr Cavendish take up the role after a six-month period between leaving his last position in government, he would not draw on privileged information available to him in advising GDM, and he would not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government. The appointment was taken up in October 2016.