techUK members Thoughtworks launch report on the Future of the Public Sector
techUK members Thoughtworks are a global software consultancy and community of passionate purpose-led individuals. Over their 25 year history they have helped clients solve complex business problems where technology is the differentiator.
Recently, Thoughtworks launched a report on the Future of the Public Sector, exploring how citizens’ behaviour and sentiment towards the public sector has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the public services they will expect moving forward. This report takes an in-depth look at the challenges the public sector currently faces and assesses the effect of COVID-19, to predict how public services might evolve over the next decade.
The report was compiled using independent market research conducted by Maru/Blue on behalf of Thoughtworks, with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults in the UK in April 2020. The surveys asked people about how they value public services, how they currently use them, and how they would like to do so in the future.
It covers four chapters, and each one is concluded by detailed analysis from David Howell, Portfolio Director – Public Sector, UK at Thoughtworks. The chapters are as follows:
- Coronavirus as a catalyst for change
- Paying for the public sector
- Looking to the future of public services in 2030 and beyond
- Spotlight on data privacy
Perhaps the most significant finding is that the pandemic has prompted a change in how people view the public sector, with the “overwhelming majority” now viewing it in a far more positive light. The figures show that “almost nine out of ten people in the UK (88 percent) say they now value the public sector more than they did before the pandemic” which has presented a significant opportunity for the public sector to look at more efficient ways of working in all aspects, to accelerate the positive changes that took place during the pandemic and continue driving this forward with citizen’s best interests at heart.
The report then goes on to explore just what that value looks like and the fact that there must be a “serious long-term investment” if it is to ensure the public sector continues to deliver these valued services - and looks at where other parts of the economy should be supported, like helping small businesses and high street shops for example. It looks at how people would like to use public services in the future through more efficient and flexible means, and how the challenges around data privacy will be addressed.
Follow this link to read more and download the report.
Annie Collings
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
Prior to joining techUK, Annie worked as an Account Manager at PLMR Healthcomms, a specialist healthcare agency providing public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. Annie also spent time as an Intern in an MPs constituency office and as an Intern at the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.
Annie graduated from Nottingham Trent University, where she was an active member of the lacrosse society.
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- anniecollings24
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/
Austin Earl
Austin Earl
Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within education and edtech.
With a career spanning technology, policy, media, events and comms, Austin has worked with technology communities, as well as policy leaders and practitioners in education, central and local government and the NHS.
Cutting his teeth working for Skills Matter, London’s developer community hub, Austin then moved to GovNet Communications where he launched Blockchain Live and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Summit. For the last 3 years he has worked with leaders in education across the state and independent schools sectors, from primary up to Higher education, with a strong research interest in technology and education management.
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- [email protected]
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- 07891 743 932
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- www.techuk.org
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/
Ellie Huckle
Ellie Huckle
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!
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- 020 7331 2015
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- @techUK,@techUK
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- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
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Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
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.
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- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538