Small but Mighty: How Nquiringminds is Driving AI Innovation in the Public Sector
Guest blog by Anita Allott, CMO at Nquiringminds #techUKdigitalPS
Anita Allott
CMO, Nquiringminds
As techUK launches its annual Digital Transformation in the Public Sector Week, the spotlight rightly falls on the critical role of SMEs in powering public sector transformation. At NquiringMinds, a UK-based deep tech SME with a heritage in Trusted AI and secure data analytics, we believe the time has come to celebrate and expand the unique contribution of small, agile companies. We are not just participants in the AI revolution; we are catalysts for meaningful, scalable change.
Why AI, Why Now?
The UK government's AI Opportunities Action Plan and the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government mark an ambitious pivot toward smarter, more responsive public services. At their core is a vision to embed AI where it matters most: in real-world, everyday challenges facing our citizens and civil servants. From automating admin to enhancing strategic decision-making, AI has the potential to transform public sector service delivery. But potential alone isn’t enough—execution is everything.
The SME Edge: Agility, Expertise, and Focus
Large enterprises may offer scale, but SMEs like NquiringMinds deliver agility, deep expertise, and an unrelenting focus on innovation. Our team brings decades of hands-on AI experience—our CEO and CTO both hold AI PhDs and have applied AI across smart cities, healthcare, defence, agriculture, and fintech.
We’ve been at the coalface of public sector challenges. From helping Belfast City Council recover lost revenue using AI-powered rates analytics, to supporting economic resilience planning in local authorities, our work demonstrates the impact SMEs can deliver. We were one of just two SMEs featured in the government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund White Paper, and we’ve received national recognition, including a Cabinet Office Open Data Champion award and the Deep Tech Company of the Year title at the TechWorks Awards.
Niche Innovation Meets Public Sector Need
Public sector transformation isn’t just about tech—it’s about solving the right problems in the right way. This is where SMEs excel. At NquiringMinds, we develop trusted AI systems tailored to the unique needs of government. We focus on secure data sharing, privacy-preserving analytics, and systems that meet the highest ethical and technical standards. Our AI solutions don’t just work in the lab—they deliver on the ground.
Our success stems from our ability to prototype quickly, adapt solutions for complex policy environments, and do so with budgetary awareness and transparency. These are the traits that the public sector needs in a partner—traits that SMEs naturally possess.
Breaking Down Barriers: What’s Holding SMEs Back?
Despite our successes, the system isn’t always set up to support SMEs. We see four key challenges that must be addressed to truly unlock SME-led innovation:
Strategic Clarity & Procurement Access: While the AI Opportunities Action Plan sets the right tone, SMEs need clearer guidance on how we fit into government’s strategic vision. Procurement processes must be accessible and SME-friendly, not favour large primes by default. Innovation should never be substituted for convenience.
Avoiding "Crowding Out": Government's internal digital capacity is growing—which is good. But internal capability should complement, not compete with, external innovators. When internal builds or large primes dominate projects, SMEs risk being marginalised. True transformation requires collaborative ecosystems.
Protecting SME IP: SMEs invest heavily in R&D, and intellectual property is often their lifeblood. While openness and interoperability are critical, policies that mandate open sourcing of SME-developed tools risk undermining future innovation. A balanced approach that encourages reuse without compromising SME viability is essential.
Smart Regulation, Not Red Tape: We support ethical AI and initiatives like the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard. But well-intentioned regulation can quickly become unmanageable for SMEs if it’s too rigid. Disclosure rules, for instance, must avoid exposing commercially sensitive IP. Pragmatic, proportionate governance will do more to encourage responsible innovation than burdensome oversight.
The Path Forward: Partnership, Not Just Procurement
The UK has an opportunity to lead the world in responsible, impactful public sector AI—but only if it leverages its full ecosystem, especially the SME community. NquiringMinds stands ready to partner on this journey. What we need now is:
Meaningful SME engagement in project scoping, not just delivery.
Simplified and SME-tailored procurement processes.
Incentives for collaboration between large primes, SMEs, and public sector bodies.
Recognition of IP value, enabling SMEs to sustain innovation.
AI in the public sector isn’t just about faster systems or cheaper processes. It’s about smarter governance, better outcomes for citizens, and long-term economic resilience. SMEs like NquiringMinds are already proving this every day.
Conclusion
At NquiringMinds, we believe small can be mighty. As a deep tech SME with a proven track record of solving complex public sector challenges, we are not just providers—we are partners in transformation. With the right support and vision, SMEs will continue to drive public sector innovation from the inside out. We look forward to sharing our voice during techUK’s Digital Transformation in the Public Sector Week and helping to shape a future where AI is trusted, inclusive, and impactful. #techUKDigitalPS
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.
Call for contributions: Building the Smarter State Week 2025
From Monday 8 September to Friday 12 September, we will be running Building the Smarter State Week in the run up to our annual flagship Building the Smarter State Conference.
Building the Smarter State is techUK’s flagship public services conference and the go-to event for public sector digital leaders. The annual event welcomes over 200 senior leaders and decisions makers from across the public sector and the technology industry to showcase how technology is shaping today's and tomorrow’s public services.
Innovation in Procurement – New Approaches to Public Sector Resilience
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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.
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
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
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.
