Event round-up
13 Jun 2025

Event Round-Up: Driving the Digital Economy Through Local Innovation

Thank you to techUK Nations and Regions Council member Shoosmiths for hosting us at their London office during London Tech Week 2025.

As part of techUK’s ongoing mission to champion regional tech ecosystems and place-based innovation, this roundtable brought together leaders from government, industry, and civil society to explore how the UK can unlock inclusive digital growth through strategic investment, local collaboration, and more effective digital adoption.

The discussion built on insights from techUK’s Local Digital Index (LDI) and aimed to shape a future-ready, resilient, and equitable digital economy that works for communities across the country.

Opening Reflections: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch

Baroness Jones outlined a clear vision for how digital innovation can power the UK's economic renewal. Her remarks highlighted:

  • Place-based inclusive growth as central to the UK’s industrial strategy.
  • The need to attract and retain tech entrepreneurs and create the best environment for business to thrive.
  • A strong emphasis on collaboration with devolved governments and regional leaders to strengthen local ecosystems.
  • Support for skills provision tailored to local demands, equipping people for high-value jobs.
  • Commitment to Project Gigabit and delivering nationwide 5G coverage by 2030.
  • A forthcoming Tech Adoption Review to tackle barriers preventing SMEs from leveraging technology for productivity.
  • Recognition that connectivity, digital skills, and local capacity building are key enablers of regional growth.

Key Themes from the Discussion

Connectivity and Digital Inclusion

  • Participants flagged points and areas of underperformance in digital coverage, particularly outside core urban areas.
  • The conversation underscored the critical link between infrastructure and inclusion, noting that gaps in affordability and access are still holding back both individuals and public services.
  • Long-term digital inclusion must be embedded into procurement strategies and supported through social value frameworks.

Digital Skills and Talent Pipelines

  • There was a shared concern around the slow pace of change in digital curriculum, especially for young people entering the workforce.
  • Local leaders need better tools to identify ecosystem strengths and build resilient talent pathways.
  • Participants noted that skills initiatives often take years to bear fruit, calling for greater consistency and longer-term programmes.

Tech Adoption and SME Enablement

  • Adoption remains uneven, with many SMEs still not using digital tools for even basic business functions like payments or planning.
  • While large firms are better equipped to adapt, medium-sized companies need clearer incentives and targeted support.
  • A strong call was made for actionable mechanisms beyond strategy to help SMEs (not just tech SMEs) adopt and benefit from innovation.

 Public Sector Collaboration and Procurement Reform

  • Participants expressed concern that procurement processes may disadvantage smaller innovators, creating unnecessary barriers to entry.
  • There was strong support for greater collaboration between SMEs and larger firms to co-deliver public sector solutions.
  • The group emphasised the need for a more agile, outcomes-focused procurement approach that values innovation and social impact.

 Building Resilient Ecosystems

  • Regions were urged to play to their unique strengths and avoid one-size-fits-all policy models (see techUK’s insight on Local Growth Plans following the Comprehensive Spending Review).
  • Local innovation clusters need consistent funding, with participants citing challenges linked to short-term investment cycles.
  • Participants discussed the importance of being realistic about where the UK can lead globally, and ensuring cybersecurity and resilience are baked into digital growth strategies.

 Emerging Priorities and Next Steps

The roundtable concluded with agreement on several shared priorities:

  • Make digital infrastructure and inclusion foundational, not optional.
  • Support regions to define and lead their digital strategies, backed by long-term funding and empowered through devolution.
  • Streamline procurement and reduce barriers for SMEs to work with the public sector.
  • Accelerate skills reform to keep pace with evolving technologies and industry needs.
  • Ensure tech adoption delivers measurable productivity and social outcomes, not just digital presence.

techUK’s Local Digital Index featured case studies and analysis of the UK tech sector such as Moore Kingston Smith’s piece focused on skills, innovation and finance for regional tech ecosystems.

This roundtable forms part of techUK’s broader commitment to ensuring every region of the UK has the tools, talent, and infrastructure needed to shape its digital future. The insights gathered will inform techUK’s policy engagement and advocacy ahead of upcoming legislative and funding opportunities.

If you'd like to continue the conversation or share your region’s priorities, get in touch with our team.

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.

Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.

Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.

He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.

If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
techuk.org,,techuk.org,

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Ileana Lupsa

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.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
@IleanaLupsa
Website:
www.techUK.org
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/ileana-lupsa

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Stephanie Barr

Stephanie Barr

Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK

Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.

Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.

Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.

Email:
[email protected]

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Tracy Modha

Tracy Modha

Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, 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!

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
02073312000
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83

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Francesca Richiusa

Francesca 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.

 

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/

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Nations and Regions Programme activities

techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here

 

Upcoming events

17 June 2025

Meet the Investors: Glasgow

Glasgow Panel discussion
24 June 2025

Roundtable: Building Critical Infrastructure and Advancing AI

Edinburgh Roundtable
24 June 2025

Law Enforcement in a Digital Age: Protecting State and Citizen

Edinburgh Partner event

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Meet the team 

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Ileana Lupsa

Ileana Lupsa

Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK

Stephanie Barr

Stephanie Barr

Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK

Tracy Modha

Tracy Modha

Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Francesca Richiusa

Francesca Richiusa

Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

 

 

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