Agenda
9:00 - 9:05
Chair’s opening remarks
09:05 - 10:10
Perm Secs panel: Digital transformation and the need for leaders to step up
In this discussion, a collection of government senior managers will discuss their role in supporting the use of digital and data across their agency – and government more widely. This will include examination of the extent to which leaders need to develop their own technology skills and understanding, how they can best enable the work of their colleagues in the Digital and Data profession, and how to generate support for transformation from all parts of their organisation.
Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education
Angela MacDonald, Second Permanent Secretary, HMRC
Julie Lennard, Chief Executive Officer, DVLA
Nick Joicey, Second Permanent Secretary at Defra
Sam Trendall, Editor, PublicTechnology (chair)
10:15 - 10:35
Keynote session – An update on government’s digital and data roadmap
Gina Gill from CDDO will provide attendees with an update on delivery of government’s digital and data objectives. This will include examination of progress so far of strategic missions, as well as exploration of some of the challenges encountered and how they have been met, and what to expect over the coming months.
Speaker:
Gina Gill, Central Digital and Data Office
10:35 - 10:45
Networking and coffee
10:45 - 11:05
Sponsor keynote: The role of suppliers in supporting digital public services
This presentation will explore how the tech sector can best support the work of the public sector, by understanding its problems and objectives, and by working as partners – with shared risk and reward – rather than just providers.
11:10 - 11:35
Q&A: How to transform government’s largest department
In this onstage Q&A, PublicTechnology will talk to Helen Wylie, chief technology officer at DWP Digital, about the organisation’s work to deliver digital transformation while supporting government’s largest workforce, and providing critical services to some of society’s most vulnerable people.
Speaker:
Helen Wylie, chief technology officer, DWP Digital
11:35 - 11:45
Coffee and comfort break
11:45 - 12:30
Panel discussion: Are times too tough for local government transformation?
A panel exploring whether and how local government can continue to innovate and transform, even against the backdrop of a huge funding crunch and a cost-of-living crisis affecting the most vulnerable citizens. This includes discussion of where technology can provide efficiencies, how data and analytics can enhance support for citizens that rely the most on public services, and the role of digital leaders, senior managers, and elected members in enabling digitisation.
Panel:
Helen Mary Coomb, cabinet member for resources and transformation, London Borough of Redbridge
Carol Williams, director of transformation and digital, Walsall Council and vice president, Socitm
Georgina Maratheftis, associate director, local public services, techUK (chair)
12:30 - 13:15
Lunch and networking
13:15 - 14:05
Roundtable: How can public bodies unlock data-sharing opportunities?
The Digital Economy Act was introduced in 2017 with the aim of empowering public bodies to share data more easily and effectively. The seven years since have brought several strategies, numerous ministers and managers, and a wide range of individual initiatives to improve the use of data by government and the wider public sector. Despite such grand plans – and some notable successes – a recent government-commissioned report concluded that there remain “systemic, often cultural barriers” to data sharing in the public sector. This registration-only roundtable will allow attendees to discuss with their peers – under Chatham House rules – their experience of sharing information across organisational boundaries. This will include examination of the technical or operational challenges that persist, as well as how these difficulties can be overcome, and the benefits to operations and citizen experience that can ultimately be achieved.
Sponsored by SAS
13:15 - 14:05
Workshop 1: Setting the data foundations for analytics and AI
Despite public sector organisations’ ambitions to implement advanced analytical techniques and tools, many are held back by ageing systems and segregated infrastructure. Cloud computing offers a means of modernising architecture – but this is only the first step and is not a silver-bullet solution. This session will explore how to ensure the best infrastructure foundations are laid to enable the NHS and government to deploy sophisticated automation and analytics in delivering day-to-day operational outcomes.
Sponsored by Exponential-e
13:15 - 14:05
Workshop 2: Keeping on top of legacy risk
This session will feature experts examining how public bodies can begin to upgrade their technology estate and mitigate the biggest cyber risks while continuing to pursue transformation initiatives.
14:05 - 14:15
Coffee break
14:15 - 14:35
Keynote: Putting citizens at the heart of digital government in Scotland
This presentation will look at how public bodies can ensure citizens are kept engaged with – and remain supportive of – tech transformation. This includes focusing on digital inclusion, while also keeping an open dialogue between government and the public, and taking input from ethicists.
Speaker:
Eilidh McLaughlin, head of Digital Citizen Unit, Scottish Government
14:40 - 14:55
Procurement trends in public sector tech
Drawing on exclusive research, this session will look at the evolution of contracts and supplier engagements, and how public sector buyers can take advantage.
Gus Tugendhat, founder, Tussell
15:00 - 15:45
Closing panel discussion: Should the public sector believe the AI hype?
This discussion will examine the world’s most unavoidable technology, and what it means – and does not mean – for the public sector. Panellists will examine the risks, opportunities and ethical considerations created by generative AI, as well as how other forms of automation and machine learning can be deployed in operations.
Sponsored by QA
Panel:
Suzannah Brecknell, editor, Civil Service World (chair)
Dr Jonathan Bright, head of AI for public services and head of online safety, Alan Turing Institute
Matthew Evans, director for markets, techUK
Yasmin Ibison, senior policy advisor, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
David Knott, chief technology officer for UK government, Central Digital and Data Office