
The government has announced Simon Fell MP as the first Rural Connectivity Champion.
The role will see him supporting rural communities and businesses to benefit from better digital connectivity.
Fell will convene rural businesses and the telecoms industry to support adoption of digital connectivity in sectors such as agriculture and develop, in partnership with rural businesses.
Fell comes from a background in telecoms and cybersecurity and represents a rural constituency in Cumbria.
Fell said: "I am honoured to have been asked to take up the role of Rural Connectivity Champion. Poor connectivity is holding back too many rural communities and businesses, as my own farmers and businesses in Barrow and Furness will attest.
"If we hope to unlock growth, and to ensure that our rural communities are sustainable, then the government has got to work hand in glove with local government and the private sector to deliver better connectivity. I look forward to leading that work across government and the country."
Image by David Woolfall - https://members-api.parliament.uk/api/Members/4744/Portrait?cropType=Thr... https://members.parliament.uk/member/4744/portrait, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86636568