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Prime minister's technology adviser Rohan Silva quits | Prime minister's technology adviser Rohan Silva quits |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The man responsible for setting up the government's Tech City initiative supporting start-ups in east London is to step down. | The man responsible for setting up the government's Tech City initiative supporting start-ups in east London is to step down. |
Rohan Silva, a senior advisor to David Cameron, will leave his role in June to pursue other business interests. | Rohan Silva, a senior advisor to David Cameron, will leave his role in June to pursue other business interests. |
The BBC understands he is to work with venture capital firm Index Ventures, before moving into the educational technology industry. | The BBC understands he is to work with venture capital firm Index Ventures, before moving into the educational technology industry. |
Number 10 said it planned to hire a replacement in due course. | Number 10 said it planned to hire a replacement in due course. |
A source at Downing Street said: "Rohan is committed to entrepreneurship and has always said he wants to start his own business at some point." | A source at Downing Street said: "Rohan is committed to entrepreneurship and has always said he wants to start his own business at some point." |
During Mr Silva's time as adviser, he has overseen initiatives focused on expanding London's burgeoning start-up scene. | During Mr Silva's time as adviser, he has overseen initiatives focused on expanding London's burgeoning start-up scene. |
He previously worked under George Osborne as an economic adviser, as well as a policy analyst for the Treasury. | |
In a statement, the Tech City Investment Organisation praised the 32-year-old's contribution. | In a statement, the Tech City Investment Organisation praised the 32-year-old's contribution. |
"When you have a passion for entrepreneurship like Rohan and spend as much time working with start-ups as he has in building Tech City, moving from championing those businesses to creating one is a natural next step. | "When you have a passion for entrepreneurship like Rohan and spend as much time working with start-ups as he has in building Tech City, moving from championing those businesses to creating one is a natural next step. |
"We will continue to work closely with Rohan until his departure in June and we wish him a world of success." | "We will continue to work closely with Rohan until his departure in June and we wish him a world of success." |
'Big coup' | 'Big coup' |
Mr Silva had become known as a cheerleader for progressive policies for technology start-ups, including the Entrepreneur Visa. | Mr Silva had become known as a cheerleader for progressive policies for technology start-ups, including the Entrepreneur Visa. |
He was said to be directly involved in the hiring of Joanna Shields, formerly of Facebook, to run Tech City - an appointment described as a "big coup" at the time. | He was said to be directly involved in the hiring of Joanna Shields, formerly of Facebook, to run Tech City - an appointment described as a "big coup" at the time. |
However, Tech City's many critics have said the visa has been ineffective in helping to hire talent from outside the EU, while other initiatives - such as a revamped Old Street Roundabout - have been dismissed as a waste of money. | However, Tech City's many critics have said the visa has been ineffective in helping to hire talent from outside the EU, while other initiatives - such as a revamped Old Street Roundabout - have been dismissed as a waste of money. |
Last summer, a think tank published a stinging attack on Tech City, saying developers whom it was seeking to help were left "frustrated", and some policies were counterproductive. | Last summer, a think tank published a stinging attack on Tech City, saying developers whom it was seeking to help were left "frustrated", and some policies were counterproductive. |
Speaking to Tech City News, a news site based in east London, Mr Silva said: "Anyone that knows me knows I've been straining at the leash to have a go at my own business for a number of years now." | Speaking to Tech City News, a news site based in east London, Mr Silva said: "Anyone that knows me knows I've been straining at the leash to have a go at my own business for a number of years now." |
He insisted his decision was not a statement on the leadership of David Cameron and George Osborne. | He insisted his decision was not a statement on the leadership of David Cameron and George Osborne. |
"It's been a hard decision, I've loved that I've been able to make a difference." | "It's been a hard decision, I've loved that I've been able to make a difference." |