Talking 5 with Local Public Services Member Zoho

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right technology can make - especially in the public sector, where teams are juggling tight budgets, high demand, and outdated systems all at once.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 Too many teams are still using outdated systems that don’t communicate, making simple tasks more time-consuming and frustrating for staff and residents.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.

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