Tech2035 opinion - How techUK can help the Industrial Strategy manage change
By balancing certainty and stability with the continual evolution and invention required to embrace the industries of the future, business stands ready to be a proactive partner to Government, but can only do so if the Government is willing to maintain networks that can facilitate this support.
The Challenge
Ahead of the release of the Government’s Industrial Strategy White Paper, there is an increasing level of interest from industry as to what will be announced. This is for good reason - first impressions count, and how the Strategy is received on day one will be critical for creating the confidence needed to make the Strategy work. After all, the 2017 Industrial Strategy and subsequent 2021 Plan for Growth are considered to have failed to deliver largely due to a lack of direction and buy in from necessary stakeholders, both inside and outside the Government.
However, no Industrial Strategy will ever operate in conditions entirely of the Government’s own choosing. Past British industrial strategies, such as the National Plan in 1965 and the Dash for Growth in 1972-3, both found themselves overtaken by world events that made them impracticable.
This record suggests the UK has so far been unable to create an industrial strategy that meets not just the moment for which it is published, but evolves to meet the needs of a changing world to retain necessary private sector confidence. This cannot mean change in response to every event, but instead requires the Government to understand what events require change and how that change can best maintain the goals of the Strategy. It is this challenge that the Government must address throughout the Strategy's lifespan.
An industrial strategy in uncertain times
The Government must accept that the Industrial Strategy will be forced to change due to circumstances outside of its control. This may be for external political reasons, such as the uncertain future of global trade, or because of advances in technology that expand what is possible for the Industrial Strategy to achieve. This reality has already been recognised by bodies such as the Business and Trade Select Committee, who have had to change their questions at oral evidence sessions to focus on the effects US tariffs will have on the British economy.
As time goes on, the potential for events to fundamentally change the context the Industrial Strategy is operating in only increases, compounding the need for the Industrial Strategy to evolve. This may involve abandoning previously successful schemes that have outlived their usefulness, or making emergency adjustments to proposed courses of action, or even altering the goals of the Strategy to better fit the new reality.
Given the Industrial Strategy will undoubtedly rely on crowding in private capital, it will need to maintain a fine balance between providing the necessary certainty and stability, to allow businesses to plan and make investments, and remaining adaptable and responsive enough to ensure continued relevance and confidence in the Industrial Strategy model. Without this relevance and confidence, it will cease to be a trusted indicator of Government intent and therefore a usable guide for the investment decisions of private enterprise.
How though can the Government build this flexibility into the Industrial Strategy?
The tech sector will be critical to managing inevitable change
In a time of global instability, techUK’s ability to help the Government manage change, especially by ensuring the Industrial Strategy remains as up-to-date and relevant as possible, ensures we can play our part in maintaining the stability of confidence in the Industrial Strategy necessary for encouraging private investment in the UK. To do this, techUK can offer the Government a partnership with the tech sector that will ensure the Industrial Strategy retains as much confidence and utility as possible over the course of its life.
techUK devoted a significant part of its Industrial Strategy response to examining how an Industrial Strategy could change while retaining the confidence of businesses necessary for its success. At the core of our suggestions was the need for trade associations and the private sector to be involved in policy formulation, testing and delivery alongside the Government, to ensure these policies are achievable and best align with both the Government’s goals and the goals of the private sector.
As a result of our broad membership, techUK can swiftly provide expert advice to the Government to aid in decision making. Our work on the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, where we provided emergency advice as an incredibly fast-paced situation unfolded, is indicative of this ability to be an agile and knowledgeable partner for the Government during a crisis. By maintaining this relationship, the Government can ensure threats to the Industrial Strategy’s credibility are swiftly addressed in partnership with business.
Similarly, techUK’s pre-existing networks and view of the entire digital economy means we can help the Government identify and prepare for future technological developments by providing horizon scanning insights into future technological capability. Our information networks can help the Government anticipate necessary changes in policy before they reach a crisis point to ensure that the Industrial Strategy can best adapt to the changing nature of what is possible: technologically, politically and economically.
The real utility of these channels of communication is that we can provide not just information to the Government, but a partnership which ensures the Government can identify and manage any necessary changes to the Industrial Strategy while maintaining the full confidence of the tech sector. As the Strategy wishes to encourage investment and a productive partnership with the private sector, tapping into these animal spirits is just as important as creating a sound structure for the delivery of the Industrial Strategy. By helping the Government build and display this confidence, the Industrial Strategy and, by proxy, the UK will be a more attractive destination for investors, both domestic and international.
Conclusion
The Industrial Strategy cannot succeed if it remains static and unchanging in an increasingly volatile world, no matter how well-constructed it is on day one. To retain the necessary confidence of the private sector to facilitate investment in the UK, the Strategy will need to evolve to meet emerging challenges and to address sudden changes in the business environment.
Trade associations, particularly techUK, can help the Industrial Strategy retain its utility over the course of its life by ensuring that the Strategy evolves in a way that retains the greatest possible business confidence.
To fully realise the potential of this partnership, the Government must commit to building and utilising networks of consultation, with inbuilt operational capacity, with trade associations to ensure they can deliver advice and support to the Government whenever necessary.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
techUK's Policy and Public Affairs Programme activities
techUK helps our members understand, engage and influence the development of digital and tech policy in the UK and beyond. We support our members to understand some of the most complex and thorny policy questions that confront our sector. Visit the programme page here.
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.
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
As Head of Public Affairs, Alice supports techUK’s strategic engagement with Westminster, Whitehall and beyond. She regularly works to engage with ministers, members of the UK’s parliaments and senior civil servants on techUK’s work advocating for the role of technology in the UK’s economy as well as wider society.
Alice joined techUK in 2022. She has experience working at both a political monitoring company, leading on the tech, media and telecoms portfolio there, and also as an account manager in a Westminster-based public affairs agency. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Politics and Philosophy.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Mia focuses on shaping a policy environment that fosters the expansion of the UK tech sector while maximising the transformative potential of technology across all industries.
Prior to joining techUK, Mia worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) within the Policy Unit.
Mia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester and a BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
Dani joined techUK in February 2025 as a Policy Manager in the Digital Regulation team.
Prior to this, Dani worked in political monitoring where she was a consultant for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure, closely following all of the major developments in the tech centre and working with several key stakeholders and regulators.
She has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Bristol and an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.
Outside of tech, Dani has a strong interest in addiction policy, particularly towards drugs, having written her dissertation on the topic as well as several subsequent research projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and following all things motoring, whether that be F1, MotoGP or Formula E.
Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.
He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.
Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.
Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the Local and General Election and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. As well as working for multiple charities on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from University of Nottingham.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
