Former BBC director general Lord Birt has joined Capgemini as an adviser.

Lord Birt will provide strategic support to the firm, with a focus on its efforts in the public sector and telecom, media and entertainment.

Up until last month he had provided advice to prime minister Tony Blair.

Lord Birt’s appointment has been approved, as required by ministerial code, by cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell, acting on advice from the Independent Committee on Business Appointments.

Following the Committee’s recommendation, Lord Birt’s public sector work for Capgemini will start in five month’s time (six months after he left office).

Mark Porter, CEO of Capgemini UK, said: 'Lord Birt’s top-level experience will be of immense value to a business such as ours, in which quality and originality of thinking are key to commercial success. His strategic insights and leadership skills will be of great value to our clients facing the challenges of transformation – challenges which he has faced in many contexts and at the highest levels.'