Public Digital appoints Lesley Cowley as new chair

Lesley Cowley has been appointed chair at Public Digital. She will offer guidance to the global digital transformation consultancy, as it embarks on plans for a new chapter of growth.

Founded in 2015 by the team behind GOV.UK and GDS, Public Digital is a digital transformation consultancy of more than 100 permanent employees, and hosting a network of over 300 experts across the world. The London-headquartered firm has worked across FTSE100 companies, spanning sectors including retail, telecoms, media and financial services, as well as central and local government, the NHS, universities, and leading charities. In 2025 the firm was awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Cowley, who has served as a non-executive director since 2022, steps into the role of chair after her predecessor Tim Brooks stood down in December. She will now provide strategic leadership to the business, working closely with the senior leadership team as the consultancy expands its work with governments, businesses, and global philanthropic organisations.

Commenting on her appointment, Cowley said, “I’m delighted to be moving into the role of Public Digital’s chair. I’m grateful to Tim Brooks for his excellent leadership and looking forward to working with Ben and my fellow board members on helping PD achieve its growth ambitions.”

As she steps into the position, Cowley also brings extensive experience in digital infrastructure and public sector reform from a number of other board-level engagements. She is currently Chair of Building Digital UK (BDUK), the government body bringing broadband and mobile coverage to hard-to-reach places across the UK. And she has previously chaired the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Companies House, Airport Coordination Limited and The National Archives.

Cowley also spent a decade as chief executive officer of Nominet, the UK’s .uk domain registry, leading it through a period of significant growth and establishing the Nominet Trust, one of the UK’s leading social tech funders. Through this role, she played a formative part in shaping Britain’s internet infrastructure, stewardship and digital ecosystem, and in 2010 was recognised with an OBE for services to the internet and e-commerce.

Ben Terrett CBE, CEO of Public Digital, added, “Since our foundation ten years ago, PD has enjoyed consistent year-on-year growth, without ever moving away from our core values of doing work which benefits the world and improves people’s lives. Lesley has played a key role in this success as a member of the board, and we are thrilled that she will continue to bring her guidance and experience as our chair and help us to navigate this next phase of our growth.”