Event round-up: Blueprint for digital government – connecting local government and suppliers
techUK, in collaboration with Government Digital Service (GDS) delivered a briefing and workshop on the “Blueprint for Digital Government – connecting Local Government and Suppliers” event.
This initiative brought together GDS and industry during the Local Government Collaboration sprint which GDS is currently leading, ensuring industry participation in the conversation. The discussions explored the benefits of a north star for Local Government innovation and transformation, as well as good practice in procurement processes.
Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London (currently advising at GDS Local Government collaboration sprint) outlined the plans and areas of focus in his opening speech. At the core of this initiative, is improving outcomes for citizens and those who serve them: which means having enough data in our hands to make informed decisions, innovate, and develop new services to serve citizens. Government must work together to increase productivity in the public sector. The outputs of this sprint will emphasise to decision-makers the importance of getting this right for public service delivery. GDS sees interoperability, common standards and user-centered design as key elements to getting this right, as well as delivering the blueprint’s vision for GDS to be the digital service for the whole of government; ending the divide between central and local.
This was followed by a panel discussion on Digital Blueprint and the opportunities for local government and industry engagement, chaired by techUK, which featured central government, local government and industry representatives:
Ed McCutcheon, Government Chief Architect, GDS
Owen Pritchard, Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology, LGA
Omid Shiraji, CIO and Advisor
Chris Jones, Head of Public Sector, Trustmarque (techUK member)
The panellists highlighted the need for collaboration between local and central government, as well as suppliers, to achieve a cohesive digital strategy for local public services. There is a feeling of optimism about the potential for systemic change, provided that all stakeholders remain committed to the shared vision and work together to overcome the challenges ahead. The need to have a unified approach to technology in local government systems was discussed. Effective communication and collaboration between various stakeholders, including suppliers, are crucial for achieving these goals. The other aspect that did emerge was the importance of tech and digital for public services and placing the citizen at the heart of the solutions.
A few themes captured from the workshop:
Vision for local government
A significant theme of the discussion was the need for a clear vision or "North Star" that guides local government in its digital transformation efforts. Core to this is a common set of objectives and language as being essential for fostering collaboration and ensuring that all parties are aligned in their efforts to improve public services. It was emphasised that this vision should not only focus on technology but also on cultural shifts within organisations to operationalise these changes effectively.
Challenges in implementation
It was widely acknowledged that the challenges that local government face include implementing digital solutions, resistance to change, lack of resources, and the complexity of existing systems. The group discussed the importance of addressing these barriers, through better governance and cultural shifts within organisations. The procurement process was a key topic as the conversation touched on the procurement process, where participants emphasised the need for more flexible and outcome-based approaches to buying digital services.
Supplier engagement and collaboration
The participants call for suppliers to engage more actively with local authorities, advocating for the development of solutions that are interoperable and designed with open APIs. They stress that suppliers should not only focus on their products but also consider how these products fit into the broader ecosystem of public services.
The call to action:
The event demonstrated the importance for collaboration and partnership between central and local government and suppliers. The local government facing initiatives are as follows:
Develop a Digital Backbone: Emphasise the need for interoperability and data sharing across different sectors to improve public service delivery.
Create a Unified Approach to Technology: Address concerns about the fragmentation of services and the necessity of a unified approach to technology in local government systems.
Effective Communication and Collaboration: Ensure effective communication and collaboration between various stakeholders, including suppliers, to achieve the goals of digital transformation.
Support from Industry: Encourage industry support in developing digital strategies for local authorities.
Establish a Clear Vision or "North Star": Develop a common set of objectives and language to guide local government in its digital transformation efforts.
Address Implementation Challenges: Focus on overcoming resistance to change, lack of resources, and the complexity of existing systems through better governance and cultural shifts.
Flexible and Outcome-Based Procurement: Emphasize the need for more flexible and outcome-based approaches to buying digital services.
Supplier Engagement: Advocate for suppliers to engage more actively with local authorities and develop solutions that are interoperable and designed with open APIs.
Owen Pritchard, LGA, highlighted that they are keen for this conversation to continue, and to work with GDS to ensure that techUK members and suppliers have their voices heard and are involved in this process. He emphasised that it is key that none of this happens in isolation; it all needs to be done collaboratively and in partnership.
Theo’s closing remarks highlighted that government must work together to improve outcomes for citizens and those who serve them. The result of this sprint will be emphasising to decision-makers the importance of getting this right for public service delivery. For GDS, this is a crucial moment. Whether talking about interoperability, common standards, user-centred design, and all of those key elements, it's fundamentally important that the vision ends the divide between central and local government. The focus should be on impact rather than just the next build-out of a government service. It's incumbent upon us all to keep talking.
Collaboration Between the public sector and suppliers is key and techUK, along with the LGA and other partners, and we will continue to foster collaboration between local and central government, as well as suppliers, to achieve a cohesive digital strategy for public services.
Please sign up to the techUK LPS newsletter, if you haven’t already, for updates on future Blueprint for Digital Government updates.
Alison Young
Associate Director Local Public Services, techUK
Alison Young is the Associate Director Local Public Services.
Alison has background in International Trade & Investment, with experience in the public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets, inward investment and working closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation and partnerships and technology. Prior to joining techUK, she has her own consulting business and was Head of Global Investment with the Connected Places Catapult. This role had a focus on FDI around the built environment and mobility, working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group, to foster and network of knowledge sharing and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network, to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment.
She spent six years living and working in the Middle East, with the Department for Business and Trade. Based first in Oman, leading on a number of sectors, from Education to Infrastructure, then based in the UAE, setting up the Technology and Smart Cities sector, with a core focus on AI and Fintech.
She is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities; the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies MA, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.
Our Local Public Services Programme helps techUK members to navigate local government. We champion innovation that can create truly digital local public services helping to create thriving, productive and safer places for all. Visit the programme page here
Local Public Services Innovation Summit 2025
Attend techUK’s annual Local Public Services Innovation Summit where we will convene local authorities with tech industry to showcase good practise and facilitate greater collaboration between councils and industry.
Call for submissions: Get involved in techUK’s Local Public Services Innovation Awareness Day 2025
techUK members and local government stakeholders are invited to contribute to techUK’s Local Public Services Innovation Awareness Day with key initiatives, on 21 May.
We are partnering with the LGA to deliver a webinar as part of Women's History Month, where we will be hearing from women leaders in both local government and techUK members on their career journeys, barriers they have overcome and what both the tech and local government sector can learn from each other to continue increasing women representation and progression across our sectors.
Join us to hear more about their digital strategy, initiatives, their ambitions for the future and how you can get involved. We will be joined by Heather Clark (Economics), Head of City Economy and External Funding Strategy at City of Wolverhampton Council.
Do you have a trailblazer in your team?
Do you work with an innovator or a problem solver?
Do you have an inspirational colleague who deserves the spotlight for their work? The President’s Awards are back for 2025 and open for nominations. All techUK members are encouraged to nominate one colleague.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Alison Young is the Associate Director Local Public Services.
Alison has background in International Trade & Investment, with experience in the public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets, inward investment and working closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation and partnerships and technology. Prior to joining techUK, she has her own consulting business and was Head of Global Investment with the Connected Places Catapult. This role had a focus on FDI around the built environment and mobility, working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group, to foster and network of knowledge sharing and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network, to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment.
She spent six years living and working in the Middle East, with the Department for Business and Trade. Based first in Oman, leading on a number of sectors, from Education to Infrastructure, then based in the UAE, setting up the Technology and Smart Cities sector, with a core focus on AI and Fintech.
She is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities; the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies MA, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services
Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.
Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.
If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.
