UK Government Seeks Head of Ventures to Lead Sovereign AI Program
The UK government is actively recruiting a head of ventures to oversee its new sovereign AI initiative. This role is central to advancing the AI Opportunities Action Plan launched earlier this year, which includes significant investment in data center infrastructure across the country.
AI Opportunities Action Plan: A Focus on Data Centers and Research
Introduced in January by the Labour government, the AI Opportunities Action Plan commits £14 billion ($19 billion) to expanding data center capacity throughout Britain. A core component of this plan is the creation of AI Growth Zones—designated areas that will accelerate planning approvals, improve access to the energy grid, and attract global investment.
In addition to infrastructure, the government plans to boost the UK’s research capabilities by increasing compute capacity twenty-fold over the next five years, backed by a £1 billion ($1.36 billion) investment. A further £500 million ($679.6 million) will fund a Sovereign AI Unit focused on these growth zones and expanding the AI research workforce.
Role and Responsibilities: Head of Ventures in the Sovereign AI Unit
The new head of ventures will be tasked with delivering strategic initiatives aimed at securing the UK’s sovereign advantage in frontier AI. Responsibilities include identifying key opportunities across critical sectors, building strong cases for government engagement, and executing deals that position the UK as a leader in AI innovation.
The role offers a salary between £67,250 and £79,440 ($91,421–$108,000), plus a pension contribution of 28.97%. The successful candidate will work closely with Matt Clifford, the Prime Minister’s adviser on AI.
Clifford emphasizes that the Sovereign AI Unit seeks someone early in their career interested in a “tour of duty” to support the UK in becoming an AI creator rather than just a user. Applications for this role close at 11:55 pm on Sunday, 20th July 2025.
Additional Leadership Recruitment: New CEO for ARIA
Alongside this hire, the UK government is searching for a new CEO for ARIA, a research agency modeled after DARPA. ARIA recently appointed Microsoft’s Ant Rowstron as its CTO, signaling a commitment to advancing AI research and innovation at the highest levels.
These moves indicate a clear government focus on strengthening the UK’s position in AI through targeted investment, infrastructure development, and leadership appointments.
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