Central Government programme wrapped – 2025 in review

A year of impact for the central government programme

It has been another busy year for the central government programme at techUK. This year featured:

• 31 market engagement events

• Across five different government departments

• 24 new Central Government Council members elected

• Four member-led webinars in Procurement Week 2025

• Three Public Sector Tech Talks

• Three campaign weeks

• Two supplier summits with GDS

• Two reports

• One flagship public sector conference

• One SME-focused networking event

We wanted to share some highlights behind those numbers.

Thank you to our stakeholders and partners

Thank you to all our stakeholders for choosing to host your market engagement events with us year after year. We began 2025 with a session hosted by the Crown Commercial Service on TS4 and DOS 7, followed by countless market engagement events with CCS, HMRC, GDS, the Home Office and Defra.

A standout moment was the Home Office supplier day in July, which offered tech suppliers a chance to meet the team, hear about objectives and strategic direction, and learn how to engage more effectively.

A new Central Government Council for 2025–2027

We were delighted to elect a new Central Government Council for 2025–2027 following the December 2024 elections.

The council represents technology suppliers working with government, leads debate on new technologies, optimises the use of existing capabilities, and engages with departments and the centre to reflect techUK member priorities.

Public Sector Tech Talks goes on the road

This year we also hit the road, heading to Manchester for another Public Sector Tech Talks: in conversation with event, this time with Christine Bellamy, Government Chief Product Officer at GDS.

Public Sector Tech Talks is a Central Government Council initiative featuring fireside conversations with senior public sector leaders. In 2025 we were also pleased to speak with:

• Rob Thompson, Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer, Home Office

• Claire Harrison, Future DBT Digital Director, Department for Business and Trade

Championing member voices through campaign weeks

Championing the techUK member voice, we delivered three campaign weeks.

• Social Value Week highlighted how techUK members are using social value in central government contracts.

• With the publication of the AI Opportunities Action Plan and the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, digital transformation remained a priority.

• Digital Transformation in the Public Sector Week showcased how techUK members support a digitally enabled government.

• Leading up to Building the Smarter State, we explored member visions for a truly digital state.

Procurement Week and preparing for reform

Procurement was the theme of 2025.

Ahead of the Procurement Act 2023 going live in February, we hosted Procurement Week, examining how the new regime will reshape supplier engagement with the public sector through a series of member-led online events.

Reports that shaped the conversation in 2025

We were proud to publish two reports this year:

• Navigating social value: challenges facing tech SMEs in government procurement – capturing insights from more than 100 tech SMEs.

• Financing the future – building a smarter state through digital public services – examining current digital procurement approaches and future opportunities.

Building the Smarter State 2025

On 11 September we hosted the eleventh Building the Smarter State conference (BTSS). This year’s theme, Blueprint to brilliance, explored how government is ready to harness technology for real impact.

The event welcomed more than 200 attendees from across the public and private sectors. View the photos.

Save the date for next year: 13 May 2026.

Strengthening SME engagement

November saw a successful Public Sector SME Partnering and Networking event, supporting our wider SME agenda. The event gave organisations of all sizes an opportunity to network, learn from one another and explore new avenues for collaboration.

We will continue to deliver more of these sessions in 2026.

Looking ahead to 2026

We will start the year with an HMRC supplier event on 21 January, focused on navigating the department’s IT procurement landscape.

This event is designed to increase transparency around HMRC’s procurement pipeline, demystify key frameworks and offer practical guidance on effective engagement.

Make sure you register your place.

Thank you from the central government team

We would like to wish all our members and stakeholders the very best for the festive period and thank everyone who worked with us this year.

We look forward to working with you in 2026.