Central Government programme wrapped – 2025 in review
The Central Government programme reflects on a milestone year of collaboration, innovation and policy insight. This wrap-up highlights key achievements across digital transformation, skills, procurement and emerging technology, and sets the direction for how techUK and members will work together to shape what comes next.
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.
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.
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.
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 here.
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.
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.
Heather Cover-Kus
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
Heather Cover-Kus
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
Heather is Associate Director, Central Government and Education at techUK, working to represent the tech supplier community to Central Government.
She started as Head of Central Government at techUK in April 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director in August 2025 supporting both the Central Government and Education programmes.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
The techUK Central Government Programme provides a forum for government to engage with tech suppliers. We advocate for the govtech sector, evangelise tech as a solution to public sector challenges, facilitate market engagement, and help make the public sector an easier market to operate in. Visit the programme page here.
Financing the Future: Building a Smarter State Through Digital Public Services
This new report commissioned by techUK’s Public Services Board and written by Henham Strategy presents a strategic assessment of digital procurement across government and makes the case for a fundamental shift in funding for digital services.
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.
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
Heather Cover-Kus
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
Heather is Associate Director, Central Government and Education at techUK, working to represent the tech supplier community to Central Government.
She started as Head of Central Government at techUK in April 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director in August 2025 supporting both the Central Government and Education programmes.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
