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On 6 May 2025, we hosted a dynamic roundtable in Birmingham in partnership with Birmingham City Council and techUK member Shoosmiths, exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform public services and shape the future of digital cities.
With representatives from local government and the tech industry, the event provided a collaborative space to address shared challenges, highlight opportunities, and explore how we can shift from AI ambition to real-world delivery.
The UK Government’s AI Strategy provided an important backdrop, but our focus extended far beyond policy. We asked:
We were especially pleased to be joined by Martin Sadler, Director of Digital and Technology Services at Birmingham City Council, who shared insights on the role of local leadership in driving this transformation.
While proof of concepts (POCs) remain important, the real value lies in moving beyond pilots to full-scale implementation. Councils need robust business cases, organisational readiness, and the ability to demonstrate how AI saves time and improves outcomes particularly in high-pressure areas like social care.
As one attendee noted, "AI is already here. Now it’s about using it to spot patterns, free up time, and help people make better decisions."
Trust emerged as a central theme: trust in data, in technology, and in leadership. Embedding AI in public services requires not just new tools, but also cultural change. Staff need to understand both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of AI-driven change.
Skills gaps were flagged as a key barrier particularly when it comes to using existing digital tools effectively. Before adopting new platforms, many councils could unlock significant efficiency simply by investing in training for the tools they already have, such as Microsoft 365 and CoPilot. Long term, attracting and retaining AI talent in regions like the West Midlands will be essential.
AI relies on good data but many councils face ongoing challenges with legacy systems, data silos, and data governance. Attendees agreed that investing in foundational data work is essential, with a focus on quality, usability, and compliance.
“Don’t underestimate the challenge of sorting the data,” one participant remarked. “That’s the enabler for everything else.”
Procurement remains one of the biggest barriers to innovation. While new regulations aim to improve access for SMEs, translating them into a workable process remains difficult. Attendees highlighted successful models like CivTech and innovation partnerships that help smaller companies co-develop and deliver services without being locked out by complex frameworks.
Councils want tech partners who understand their priorities and co-create solutions that solve real-world problems. This requires long-term relationships, risk-sharing models, and alignment on outcomes not just transactions.
Participants shared several examples of where AI is already driving value:
The roundtable surfaced several priorities for action:
AI offers powerful opportunities to reimagine how public services are delivered. But real transformation will require more than tools, it will take trust, leadership, strong partnerships, and a clear focus on delivery. The foundations are being laid. Now, we must work together to build on them.
If you’re a council, a tech company, or a public servant looking to explore what’s possible with AI we’d love to hear from you.
techUK drives public sector digital transformation by uniting the public sector and tech industry. Through early market engagement, efficient procurement, and innovative technology adoption, we help to modernise legacy IT, and enable efficient, secure, and personalised services.
Get involved: We run a busy calendar of activity including events, reports, and insights that demonstrate some of the most significant digital transformation opportunities for the sector. Our Transforming Public Services Hub is where you will find details of all upcoming activities. We also send a monthly public services newsletter to which you can subscribe here.
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Associate Director, Local Public Services, techUK
Associate Director, Local Public Services, techUK
Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services
Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.
Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.
If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
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.
Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK
Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK
Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.
Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.
Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.
Programme Manager, Education and EdTech, techUK
Programme Manager, Education and EdTech, techUK
Austin leads techUK’s Education and EdTech programme, shaping strategies that support the digital transformation of schools, colleges, and universities. His work focuses on strengthening the UK’s education technology ecosystem, enhancing core technology foundations, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.
Austin also chairs the EdTech Advisory Panel for AI in Education, contributing to national discussions on the future of EdTech, AI, and the UK's Education system.
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
Senior Programme Manager, techUK
Senior Programme Manager, techUK
Raya Tsolova is a Programme Manager at techUK.
Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week.
Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there.
Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows!
Programme Manager - Justice & Emergency Services, techUK
Programme Manager - Justice & Emergency Services, techUK
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
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.
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations & Regions, techUK