This month's Talking 5 guest is Corie Robinson from Zoho UK
Each month, techUK's Associate Director for Local Public Services, Georgina Maratheftis, interviews a member active in the local government space about their vision for the future of local public services and where digital can make a real difference to people and society. This month, we talk with Corie Robinson from Zoho UK about the role that digital plays in helping councils adapt to rapidly changing needs, improve efficiency, and enhance resident experiences.
Welcome Corie. Firstly, tell me more about you, your career, and how you got to this position today?
I’ve always been a bit of a tech geek, especially when it comes to how digital tools can make life easier. My career started in enterprise software, helping organisations ditch clunky systems and move towards smarter, more connected ways of working. Over the years, I saw just how much of a difference the right technology can make - especially in the public sector, where teams are juggling tight budgets, high demand, and outdated systems all at once.
Now, at Zoho, I focus on helping councils and local authorities make digital work for them - without the massive price tags or painful IT projects. Zoho’s all about powerful, flexible, and affordable tech that actually makes a difference, and that’s why I love what I do. My job is to help the public sector cut through the noise and make services better for everyone.
What is the greatest opportunity for local government when it comes to digital?
Local government has a huge opportunity to ditch manual processes and start working smarter. Too many teams are still using outdated systems that don’t communicate, making simple tasks more time-consuming and frustrating for staff and residents. With tighter budgets, councils can’t afford to keep doing things the old way.
The good news? The right tech can change that.
Take missed bin collections (something everyone gets heated about). When a resident reports an issue, it often bounces between teams, creating delays and frustration. With better-connected systems, the process could be streamlined. When a resident reports a missed bin, the system automatically logs the issue, checks for existing reports, and sends it to the right team. If the issue affects multiple residents, it groups those reports to avoid duplicate work. Plus, residents get automatic updates, so they’re not left in the dark.
With the right tools, councils can connect everything - case management, communication, automation - all in one place, without juggling separate systems or dealing with unnecessary complexity.
The result? Faster responses, less admin, lower costs, and happier residents. Tech can remove the frustration from local services, so councils can deliver better experiences for everyone.
What is your vision for the future of local public services and places?
The future of local services? Smarter, faster, and more adaptable. Councils must be able to respond quickly to changing needs, and that means building systems that evolve with new challenges or shifts in policy. It’s not just about seamless connections - it’s about giving councils the flexibility to pivot as needed.
Improving digital skills is also key. Councils need to ensure staff have the right tools and confidence to handle tech changes. By investing in low-code platforms, local authorities can build tailored digital solutions that are accessible and easy to use - whether for smarter transport planning, real-time monitoring, or handling those missed bin reports.
As technology advances, we’ll see more self-service options for residents, allowing them to report issues or check service schedules without waiting on hold. Crucially, this isn’t about replacing people with technology; it’s about giving staff more time to focus on complex issues that need a personal touch.
Bottom line? Technology should work for councils, not the other way around. With adaptable, easy-to-use tools, councils can work smarter, deliver better services, and stay on top of the ever-changing needs of their communities and central government.
Local Public Services Programme activities
Our Local Public Services Programme helps techUK members to navigate local government. We champion innovation that can create truly digital local public services helping to create thriving, productive and safer places for all. Visit the programme page here
Regional perspectives on local Net Zero through tech (Birmingham)
Join us in Birmingham for a dynamic and insightful session exploring how climate planning is evolving in devolved regions, with a spotlight on the West Midlands.
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.
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.
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke Newcombe
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke joined techUK in September 2025 as a Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions.
Luke works closely with members and stakeholders across industry and government at local, regional and national levels to support collaboration, drive innovation and strengthen tech-enabled public services. His work supports the development of strong local and regional tech economies by helping organisations to engage with public sector challenges, explore emerging technologies and build impactful partnerships.
Prior to joining techUK, Luke worked at Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s export development agency. He began by advising SMEs on export strategy to the UK and later focused on connecting Irish businesses with multinational organisations to foster strategic partnerships, drive international growth and support economic development.
Luke holds an MSc in Political Economy from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
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.
