Navigating the UK public sector’s uncertain digital future (a blog by FDM Group)
by Oliver Hester – FDM’s Head of Public Sector and member of the Skills and Diversity Council at techUK
In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, public services must evolve faster than ever to meet people’s rising expectations. This urgency is emphasised by budget pressures, with Government spending on private consultants climbing 62% over five years, amounting to a £1.3 billion increase in 2023–24 versus 2019–20. Meanwhile, only half of public services are digitised, and digital expenditure remains 30% below industry benchmarks.
techUK’s vision statement, “for what comes next”, underscores the need for continual innovation and collaboration across business, government, and stakeholders to build a better future for all.
Bridging the digital skills gap
The drive to digitalise public services has never been stronger, yet finding and retaining niche tech talent remains a major hurdle. While the Cabinet Office plans to hire an additional 2,500 digital and technology roles by June 2025, over 70% of civil servants say their digital skills aren’t up to date.
Lengthy civil service recruitment processes struggle to keep pace with the demand for specialists in cybersecurity, data science, and user-centred design which can lead to stalled projects and inflated costs.
Harnessing emerging technologies responsibly
Adopting and implementing AI can bring operational advantages but also risks - public sector organisations hold vast amounts of sensitive data. Accelerating digital transformation is driving prioritised investment in advanced security technologies and fostering a culture of AI safety and ethics. However, maintaining cost-effective accountability and governance processes can slow innovation, making it difficult to scale teams at pace or embrace “build-quick, fail-fast” methodologies.
Public services need guidance in rapid but responsible adoption of digital technologies like AI, automation, and cloud computing to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. Advanced cybersecurity training will be required to protect sensitive data and maintain public trust.
Empowering local digital hubs and social mobility
The government has set up digital hubs outside of London to support local opportunities for people across the UK, however, many areas lack a ready pool of specialist workers.
Despite interest from lower socio-economic and diverse communities in pursuing stable digital careers, government departments can lack the internal capability to support the needed digital training at scale. There's an emphasis within public sector roles on improving representation of women, individuals with disabilities, and those from an ethnic minority background.
A key strategy is to look beyond STEM graduates to remove barriers for underrepresented groups and create inclusive pathways for talent from all backgrounds. Recruitment processes should prioritise candidates’ mindset over past experience to capitalise on transferable skills.
Delivering tailored training that meets regional needs would not only fuel local growth but enrich public services with diverse perspectives, strengthening social mobility and ensuring that every community can share in the benefits of digital transformation.
A country not short of talent, but short of skills
The UK is rich in potential tech talent yet struggles to fill critical roles—slowing innovation, straining public services, and widening regional inequalities. The solution lies in rethinking the traditional recruitment and development model—one that prioritises potential over credentials, facilitates hands-on learning, and embodies an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
We need to consider how digital hubs can be designed to more effectively support people outside of London, including those from lower socioeconomic groups, and create sustainable thriving tech ecosystems in regional areas.
And there’s a need to streamline accountability and governance processes, allowing public bodies to rapidly scale innovation and adopt emerging technologies through an inclusive talent development environment.
A partnership for progress
The partnership between FDM Group and techUK plays a crucial role in shaping the digital landscape for the public sector, drawing on over 30 years of expertise to address today’s most pressing challenges. FDM’s COO Sheila Flavell has been the association’s President since 2022. Together we are helping unite people, companies, and organisations to realise the positive outcomes that digital technology can achieve.
FDM Group contributes to techUK’s initiatives and discussions on digital skills, talent development, and diversity in technology. By collaborating with techUK, FDM helps shape policy and drive industry innovation, reinforcing our commitment to empowering tech professionals and advancing the UK’s digital ecosystem.
60% of employers expect broadening digital access to be the most transformative trend by 2030. As we navigate uncertainty our success depends on building resilient, future-ready public services.
The partnership of techUK and FDM Group stands at the forefront of this mission, equipping organisations with the talent and insights they need to deliver digital advances that serve the community today, tomorrow, and for what comes next.
Annual Dinner 2025
Authors
Oliver Hester
Oliver Hester is a notable figure at FDM Group, a well-known consultancy recognised for its commitment and dedication to business and technology solutions. With over ten years of experience in the tech industry, Oliver plays a crucial role in driving FDM's mission of bridging the digital skills gap while fostering diversity within the sector.
