techUK is delighted to partner with the Digital Task Force for Planning to bring you this informative session.
If your organisation provides a service that supports the digital planning sector in the UK, register for this event to learn more about the benefits of joining the Digital Planning Directory.
The online event is a dedicated open engagement opportunity for TechUK members to learn more about the Digital Planning Directory and explore the opportunities it offers.
It is also an excellent opportunity to understand the broader MHCLG digital planning programme Digital Planning UK Gov from senior officials.
Speakers include:
Lou Welham
Innovation Lead, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Places are limited so please reserve your place now!
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About the Digital Planning Directory
After comprehensive User Experience (UX) research and development during the summer of 2024, the Directory will be ready to open for entries from digital planning service providers in late September. Once launched, it will serve as a comprehensive, user-friendly online resource for digital planning, accessible to all public and private sector stakeholders in the UK via a dedicated website.
The first 150 qualified UK companies to register by the end of November 2024 will receive a one-year complimentary entry.
The Directory will include 10 digital service areas. Join the event to explore how to grow your business and help shape a digital future in planning.
Community Engagement
Visualisation,3D Modelling, and Animations
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping
Environmental and Sustainability Services
Planning and Urban Design Services
Land Search and Assessment
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Software Solutions
Plan-making, Planning Application and Data Management Systems
Organisational Digital Transformation
Digital Twins
The full Directory is expected to be launched in January 2025.
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About the Digital Task Force for Planning:
The Digital Task Force for Planning is an innovation-led not-for-profit organisation aiming to unlock the full potential of spatial planning in the digital era.
On 21st May 2024, a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the MHCLG and the Task Force to pave the way for a new era of planning. The Digital Planning Directory is one of the first programmes to be delivered through the partnership.
Local Public Services Programme activities
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.
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.
Innovation Lead, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Lou is a tech marketeer turned Urban Planner, passionate about driving positive change in planning, land, and housing systems through tech innovation. In her role as Innovation Lead at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, she steers the government’s PropTech Innovation Fund whilst collaborating with Local Planning Authorities and industry partners to pilot cutting-edge solutions that improve planning processes, facilitate community buy in and grow a thriving tech sector. With a Master’s specialism in environmental justice, Lou is particularly focused on exploring how we incorporate fairer environmental outcomes into Urban Planning as well as experimenting with new ways of surfacing climate priorities through technology and community engagement.
Wei is co-founder and CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning - an innovation led not-for-profit social enterprise with the mission to unlock the full potential of spatial planning in the digital era.
She is an internationally renowned town planner and urban designer who champions a place-based, whole-systems approach to tackle the grand challenges of our times. She is an influential thought leader and a powerful advocate for climate action, nature-based solutions, health and well-being, and social equality.
Currently, Wei serves as Chair of the Construction Industry Council (CIC). She was President for 2021 of the RTPI and was named a Net Zero Hero by Digital Leaders in 2022.
Through her leadership in various areas, Wei builds a bridge between research, development, and policy. Wei is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, a Fellow of the RTPI, and an Honorary Professor at University College London.