Be Part of the Conversation
Join fellow senior Civil Servants and local government executives for candid, peer-led conversations on the real-world challenges of transformation.
Whether your focus is digital delivery, citizen services, data strategy or AI adoption, our award-winning roundtable format gives you the space to share what’s working, hear how others are approaching similar challenges, and shape thinking across government.
Choose from 30 discussion topics across the two days – and spend time on what matters most to you and your team.
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Transformation Strategy
This session explores how the public sector is reimagining how services can be delivered through embracing technology as a catalyst for change. We’ll delve into how digital infrastructure, modern platforms, and cross-departmental innovation are driving a new era of public sector transformation. The discussion will examine how technology is enabling smarter operations, breaking down silos, and fostering more connected, efficient, and citizen-focused government services.
Co-hosts:
- Aravindhan Rajasekar, Principal Architect for Group Corporate Services, Defra
- Dr Kate Marks, Director of Service Transformation, Environment Agency
AI Use Cases
AI is front and centre when it comes to the government's drive toward improving public sector efficiency. With the ‘test and learn’ approach growing and the AI Opportunities Action Plan in full flow, this session uncovers the current infrastructure and funding opportunities available across various government departments and showcases use cases, from healthcare, to welfare.
Co-host:
Adam Bricknell, Head of Advanced Analytics, HM Treasury
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Future Delivery Models
With future delivery models for government shifting toward more efficient, digital, and collaborative methods, with a focus on partnerships, digital transformation, and shared services. This session maps out this evolution, understanding how technology can be used to improve service delivery, design more user-centric policies, and boost overall government efficiency.
Co-hosts:
- Tina Churcher, Chief Delivery Officer, (Government Digital & Data), DVSA
- Tim Ketton-Locke, Deputy Director of Digital Exploitation, MoD
Implementing AI
AI is here and now. It’s real and it’s happening. However, there are challenges in integrating AI into existing systems, ensuring the technology aligns with regulatory frameworks, and addressing concerns around privacy and bias. This discussion focuses on how to overcome these challenges and in doing so, unlock the insights which AI can uncover to improve outcomes for all.
Co-host:
- Liam Walsh, Chief Technology Officer, Defra
Cross-Government Functions (Data)
Transforming cross-government functions through data-driven technologies, standardised processes, and centralised management are key to creating a more efficient, agile, and collaborative government. This session explores how data integration and smart automation can optimise decision-making, streamline operations, and drive better outcomes across all sectors.
Co-hosts:
- Eilidh McLaughlin, Deputy Director, Digital Ethics, Inclusion and Assurance, Scottish Government
- Marco Salzedo, Director of Commercial & Contract Management Capability, Government Commercial Function, Cabinet Office
Data Interoperability
Data interoperability in the public sector is essential for ensuring seamless communication and efficient service delivery across different government agencies and systems. How can public sector organisations ensure their data is easily accessible and readable across various platforms and technologies? What strategies can be implemented to enhance the readability and accessibility of data when sharing between government departments, while maintaining accuracy and integrity? Explore best practices for improving data interoperability in the public sector and discuss how prioritising readability can foster better collaboration, enhance decision-making, and streamline public services for improved outcomes.
Co-hosts:
- Ruth Studley, Transformation Director, Office for National Statistics
- Katherine Williamson, Chief Data Officer, Department for Transport
Digital Workplace
Transforming the traditional office involves more than hot desking, hybrid working and ergonomic chairs, to enhance and move beyond traditional working patterns, government departments are refocused to build platforms, products and services that help create a simple, joined-up and personalised experience for each employee.
Co-hosts:
- Patrick Rickles, Head of Digital Skills & Innovation, North Sea Transition Authority
- Lee Dunn, Head of Digital and Data Profession and Scottish Digital Academy, Scottish Government
Service Modernisation
Revamping and modernising services is crucial for enhancing their effectiveness. What methods can be applied to update and streamline services to better align with current demands? How can data-driven insights uncover opportunities for improvement? Delve into different strategies for service modernisation and provide examples of how organizations are utilising technology and innovation to enhance service quality.
Co-host;
- Sarah Williams, Chief Customer Officer, Westminster Council
Service Design
Designing services with citizens in mind is key to improving service delivery. What strategies can be used to co-create and optimise services that truly meet citizens' needs? How can data insights be leveraged to identify challenges from a citizen perspective? Explore approaches to designing services with citizens at the forefront and share examples of how others are involving citizens in the design process to drive improvements.
Co-hosts:
- Cathy Dutton, Deputy Director, Service Design & Delivery, Department for Education
- Dan Tippell, Deputy Director for Service Management, UK Home Office
User-Centric Design
According to the State of Digital Review, the average UK citizen spends one and a half weeks per year navigating government bureaucracy. The simple question is, how can this be cut? Or at least made easier to navigate. This involves prioritising the needs, preferences and experiences of the people it serves. By integrating user-feedback, catering to diverse populations and ensuring accessibility for varying levels of digital literacy, we can move towards a system which streamlines and enhances interactions, whilst building trust and boosting satisfaction.
Co-hosts;
- Anaïs Reding, Chief Digital Officer, Department for Business & Trade
- Chris Harvey, Head of Product & Services, Ministry of Defence
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Digital Experience
Creating a seamless digital experience and ensuring digital inclusion are key to modern service delivery. What strategies can be adopted to enhance digital interactions while making services accessible to all? How can data insights help identify barriers to digital access and improve user experiences? Explore various approaches to advancing digital experiences and promoting digital inclusion, and share examples of how organizations are bridging the digital divide to ensure equal access for everyone.
Co-hosts:
- Eilidh McLaughlin, Deputy Director, Digital Ethics, Inclusion and Assurance, Scottish Government
- Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager, Digital Office, Scottish Local Government
Operational Transformation
Technology is reshaping the core operations of government, enabling more agile, transparent, and efficient ways of working. This session will focus on how modern digital infrastructure and tools are being embedded across departments to streamline processes, reduce complexity, and enhance service delivery. From procurement to case management, we'll explore how operational transformation is creating a foundation for a more responsive and citizen-focused public sector.
Co-hosts;
- Emily Simons, Deputy Director DDT Incubator, Department for Education
- Thomas Beautyman, Deputy Director, Government Digital Capability, GDS
Data-Enabled Services
Leveraging data-enabled services is key to enhancing the citizen experience. How can governments use data to better understand and meet citizens' needs? What strategies can be employed to bridge the gap between citizen expectations and government capabilities through data-driven insights? Explore how data can be used to personalise services, identify pain points, and optimise service delivery, ensuring that government services are more responsive and aligned with citizens' expectations.
Co-host:
- Selina Holliday, Head of Digital Engagement, Greater London Authority
- Jonathan Cairns-Terry, Deputy Director of Insight Products, Care Quality Commission
Employee Experience
Establishing a digital workplace creates an engaging and efficient work environment, fostering a culture of innovation and employee well-being. Whether that be through streamlining workflows, improving communication or automating repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more meaningful work. This session explores the direct link between transformation and employee satisfaction.
Co-hosts;
- Kate Caulkin, Director of People and Operational Management Insights, (National Audit Office)
- Sarah Brooks, Deputy Director of Digital Capability; Deputy Head of Place - East Midlands
Government Efficiency
Given the scale and complexity of government operations, a well-designed strategy for improving efficiency is essential to overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes for citizens, whilst saving taxpayer money.
This session delves into how we can develop a clear vision of the desired future state that harnesses the technology of today, whilst being agile enough to harness the technology of tomorrow.
Co-hosts;
- Lucia Webster, Deputy Director, Government Grants Management Function, Cabinet Office
- Ivana Gordon, Deputy Director, GCG Services, Cabinet Office
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Change Management
Driving meaningful change in government starts with people and culture. While systems and processes matter, it’s the mindset, leadership, and willingness to adapt that determine lasting impact. This session will explore how to navigate change management, break down silos, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement—empowering teams to deliver better outcomes across departments and for the public.
Co-hosts;
- Sarah Ormerod, Programme Director of the Passport Transformation Programme, Home Office
- Madelaine Simpkin, Deputy Director, Corporate Transformation, DWP
Data Sharing
Data sharing in government plays a critical role in improving service delivery, policy-making, and transparency. How can government agencies collaborate effectively to share data while ensuring privacy and security? What frameworks or practices can be implemented to facilitate responsible data sharing? Explore the benefits and challenges of data sharing in the public sector, and discuss how it can be used to drive more informed decisions, streamline processes, and enhance citizen services.
Co-hosts:
- Nic Granger, CIO and CFO of North Sea Transition Authority
- Siobhan Dennehy, Deputy Director for Digital Competition, Analysis and Smart Data, Department for Business and Trade
Accelerating Delivery
Government departments are under increasing pressure to deliver services to citizens more quickly and efficiently, all while maintaining high quality. This reflects the growing demands on public services to meet rising citizen expectations, leverage new technologies effectively, and respond more swiftly to social and economic changes. This session explores how balancing speed, efficiency, and quality is critical as governments work to adapt to these evolving challenges.
Co-hosts;
- Richard Baines, Deputy Director, Digital Delivery, DEFRA
- Laura Adams-Foskett Transformation & Programme Director, Defence Medical Services, Ministry of Defence
AI Strategy
Co-hosts:
- Chris Darriet Jones, Chief Data Architect, Post Office
- Simon Short, Director of Data & AI, Homes England
AI Use Cases in Government
AI is at the forefront of the government's efforts to enhance public sector efficiency. With the AI Opportunities Action Plan gaining momentum, this session explores the current state of usage, the infrastructure and the funding opportunities available across various government departments, showcasing real world examples which improve outcomes for all.
Co-hosts:
- Matthew Lyon, Chief Analyst, Government Digital Service
- Lucy Vickers, Chief Data Officer, Department of Health and Social Care
Ethical AI
The ethical use of AI is a fundamental component to successfully harness the power of AI in a responsible manner. This session delves into how public sector organisations are embedding ethical principles into AI development and deployment. It will examine current frameworks, governance models, and best practices, while highlighting real-world examples of how ethical AI is being applied in areas such as justice, welfare, and public health to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Co-hosts:
- Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager, Digital office for Scottish Local Government
- Sholthana Begum, CTO & Senior Director, Technology and Digital, Competition Markets Authority
Operationalising AI
Operationalising and embedding AI into the fibre of public sector organisations has endless possibilities to enhance service delivery. Alongside having robust governance frameworks, AI adoption will allow cross-government departments to create smarter, data-driven policies to become more adaptive, agile and resilient.
Co-host:
- Shehroze Junejo, Executive Director and Chief Data Officer, UK Government Investments
- Adam Bricknell, Head of Advanced Analytics, HM Treasury
Geospatial
Integrating data and geospatial technologies can greatly enhance decision-making and service delivery in the public sector. How can government agencies leverage geospatial data to improve policy planning, resource management, and public services? What strategies can be used to ensure that geospatial data is accurately collected, analysed, and shared across departments? Explore the potential of combining data and geospatial information to drive smarter urban planning, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and more. Discuss how this integration can lead to better outcomes and more efficient, data-driven governance.
Co-hosts:
- Patrick Rickles, Head of Digital Skills & Innovation, North Sea Transition Authority
- Simon Navin, Head of Geospatial Services, Ordnance Survey
Generative AI
From automating routine tasks which free up valuable resources, to enhancing citizen engagement, right through to making sense of vast amounts of data to help formulate policy and suggest actionable solutions, which the human mind just doesn’t have the capacity to comprehend. The possibilities and potential of Generative AI are colossal. The question which arises though is what to do first? Should we go for the’quick wins’, or should we be focusing more on system wide transformation which, naturally, takes a good while longer.
Co-hosts:
- Esra Kasapoglu, Director of AI and Digital Economy, Innovate UK
- Sam Rose, Deputy Director, Advanced Analytics, Department for Transport
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Data Automation
Automating data processes in the public sector can significantly improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery. How can government agencies implement automation to streamline data collection, processing, and analysis? What strategies can be adopted to ensure that automation enhances data quality while reducing manual errors and administrative burden? Explore the benefits of automating data processes in the public sector and discuss how it can lead to faster decision-making, improved service delivery, and better resource management.
Co-hosts:
- Charles Baird, Chief Data Architect, ONS
- Praveen Tomar, Head of Data Automation, Ofgem
Better Decision Making
Decision making can be hugely enhanced by harnessing data analytics, government agencies can make more informed choices, predict trends, and allocate resources more efficiently. Data-driven decisions help identify areas that need improvement, enhance transparency, and foster accountability, allowing policymakers to address issues such as public health, education, and infrastructure more proactively. Additionally, leveraging big data and advanced analytics can enable governments to tailor their services to the needs of citizens, ensuring that public policies are responsive and adaptive to changing circumstances. Ultimately, data empowers the public sector to make decisions that are not only more accurate but also more equitable and impactful for society as a whole.
Co-host:
- Ivana Gordon, Deputy Director, GCG Services, Cabinet Office
Citizen Experience
How can governments better align their services with citizens' expectations? What strategies can be used to bridge the gap between what citizens expect and what governments are capable of delivering? Explore various approaches to enhancing the citizen experience and discuss how governments can close the gap between public expectations and service capabilities to create more responsive, efficient services.
Co-host;
- Honey Dacaney, Director General, Digital Policy Government of Canada
Citizen Journey Mapping
It's essential to understand the citizen experience at every service interaction point to enhance service delivery. What methods can be employed to map and optimise the citizen journey? How can data insights be utilised to pinpoint areas of friction? Explore various techniques for mapping the citizen journey and share examples of how others are using journey maps to foster service improvements.
Co-host:
- Sarah Rose Deputy Director, Digital Justice System, Ministry of Justice
Data Culture
Building a strong data culture is essential for organisations to effectively leverage data in decision-making and service delivery. How can organisations foster a culture where data is prioritised, valued, and integrated into everyday processes? What strategies can be implemented to ensure that data-driven decision-making becomes a core part of the organisation's mindset? Explore the key components of a data-driven culture, and discuss how fostering this culture can lead to better data quality, more efficient operations, and improved overall outcomes.
Co-hosts:
- Jen Bruce, Head of Data Strategy and Governance, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Martin Waudby, Chief Data Officer, London Borough of Camden
Learning, Working & Productivity
Thomas Beautyman, Deputy Director, Government Digital Capability, Government Digital Service
Data Optimisation
Data optimisation, coupled with data quality, is crucial for driving efficient decision-making and delivering high-quality services. How can organisations ensure their data is not only optimised but also accurate, consistent, and reliable? What strategies can be put in place to improve data quality while maximising its value? Explore the relationship between data quality and optimisation, and discuss how organisations can use high-quality, optimised data to enhance performance, improve outcomes, and streamline operations.
Co-host:
- Shelina Hargove, Head of Prisons Digital, Ministry of Justice
- Corrine Richardson, Deputy Director, Head of Data Engineering, Department for Education
Cross-Government Functions (Digital Transformation)
The functions of commercial, IT and digital, property, major projects, finance and HR are prevalent in every government department, agency and entity. Transforming these cross cutting-functions by integrating technology, standardising processes and centralising management are critical to building a more efficient, agile and collaborative government. This session explores how these efficiencies can be realised.
Co-hosts;
- Alexis Castillo-Soto, Group Deputy Director, Digital Mission and Transformation, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Department for Science Innovation
- Ellie Moir, Deputy Director, HM Treasury
Process Improvement
Improving the government starts with improving processes. Beyond just data, outdated systems, siloed workflows, and rigid procedures often slow progress. This session explores how to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and modernize the way departments work—laying the foundation for more responsive services and better outcomes for all.
Co-hosts;
- Ade Bamigboye, Chief Technology Officer, Kensington and Chelsea Council
- Olivia Labonté, Deputy Director Performance & Assurance, Government Digital Service
Cross-Government Insights
Garnering insights through harnessing technologies, standardised processes, and centralising functions across government is essential for developing sharper decision making processes. This session focuses on how government insights, powered by the DDaT profession, can drive informed decision-making, reveal key trends, and optimise operations to deliver more effective public services and outcomes.
Co-hosts to be confirmed.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics empowers the public sector to make proactive, future-focused decisions. By analysing historical data and trends, it enables departments and agencies to anticipate challenges and opportunities, allowing for smarter resource allocation and better planning. This forward-thinking approach helps governments stay ahead of issues like public health crises, crime patterns, and infrastructure needs, ensuring timely interventions. Predictive analytics drives more effective, strategic decisions, creating a more resilient and responsive public sector.
Co-hosts to be confirmed.
AI Human Teaming
AI and human collaboration is becoming central to the transformation of public sector operations. This session explores how AI can augment human capabilities to enhance decision-making, improve service delivery, and increase efficiency. It will highlight current initiatives, tools, and strategies being adopted across government departments, along with practical examples from areas such as healthcare, public safety, and social services.
Co-hosts to be confirmed.
AI Governance
AI governance frameworks are essential for ensuring the responsible and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence in the public sector. This session explores how government organisations are developing and implementing robust governance structures to oversee AI systems. It will examine key principles, policies, and best practices both in theory and in practice, ensuring frameworks are in place which underpins public confidence in the system.
Co-hosts to be confirmed.
Scaling-Up Adoption
Scaling up AI adoption in the public sector requires investing in secure, interoperable infrastructure, upskilling employees, and strengthening data governance. Governments must ensure systems can handle large data volumes, while fostering a culture of innovation through training. Ethical AI use and data privacy are critical to building trust when delivering at scale. By focusing on these areas, AI can enhance efficiency, improve public services, and drive better outcomes for citizens.
Co-hosts to be confirmed.
Building Trustworthy AI
Building trust and confidence in AI is essential for its successful adoption across the public sector. This session explores how government organisations are fostering public trust by embedding transparency, accountability, and fairness into AI systems. It will examine governance frameworks, ethical standards, and practical measures being implemented, along with real-world examples, showcasing how responsible AI practices are helping to build confidence in the technology and its outcomes.
Co-host:
- Diane Barlow, Chief Information Officer, Food Standards Agency
Eliminating Waste
Departments face a dual challenge: rising public expectations and intense pressure to deliver more with less. Achieving meaningful, lasting efficiency gains requires more than spending cuts or technological quick fixes - it demands smarter processes, empowered civil servants, and innovation that sticks.
What’s wasting time, money and talent in your department?
How do we fix broken processes without breaking delivery?
Are your people equipped to drive digital change from within?
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