Blackwell (pictured) joins from Public Group where he advised start-ups on local public services before that he was head of policy & public affairs at video games industry trade body, Ukie.

He has been a cabinet member for finance, technology and growth at Camden Council; the council has been at the forefront of using public data and received national recognition as Digital Leaders Council of the Year.

In the new role, Blackwell will lead the Mayor’s ambition to make London the world’s smartest city – as a global tech hub and in its public transport infrastructure.

Establishing the CDO role fulfils one of Khan’s manifesto commitments. Blackwell will also promote manifesto ambitions around pan-London collaboration on connectivity, digital inclusion, cyber-security and open data.

Khan said: “I am determined to make London the world’s leading ‘smart city’ with digital technology and data at the heart of making our capital a better place to live, work and visit. We already lead in digital technology, data science and innovation and I want us to make full use of this in transforming our public services for Londoners and the millions of visitors to our great city.”