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Solution Architect, PDMS
If you're leading digital transformation in the public sector, you know the challenge: modernising effectively without disrupting essential citizen services or breaking tight budgets. Those legacy applications powering critical operations feel like a double-edged sword - essential yet frustratingly difficult to update or to integrate with newer technologies.
The good news? You don't necessarily need costly wholesale replacement. Many UK public sector organisations are discovering that incremental, modular approaches deliver better outcomes, allowing upgrades based on operational priorities and technical constraints while aligning with GDS principles.
One of the most cost-effective modernisation approaches is unlocking data trapped in legacy systems. Tools like Power BI and the Power Platform suite enable direct connection to legacy databases for real-time dashboards and new data capture forms.
There are many examples of organisations embracing Power BI. For example, NHS Trusts are creating integrated healthcare analytics by consolidating data from multiple sources to create unified dashboards for real-time patient outcomes. While local authorities are using Power BI to consolidate reporting workloads, drawing data from many disparate legacy systems across their technology estate.
Key considerations: Care should be taken to ensure that any security and auditing requirements are still honoured when exposing data for reporting through Power BI. Writing new data into legacy databases must be done with safeguards in place to preserve auditing, security, and business rules.
For systems with complex business logic that must remain intact, wrapping legacy functionality in an API layer can be transformative and cost-effective. This enables modern interfaces and external systems to interact with legacy applications while preserving proven workflows.
This strategy is particularly useful in public sector environments, where legacy systems often contain decades of embedded rules and workflows. By exposing functionality through APIs, organisations can build new services and improve user experiences while maintaining the integrity of the original system.
A practical example of this approach is our work with the Isle of Man Ship Registry, where we developed an offline survey application that leveraged APIs to access existing business logic and data layers. The result was a modern, user-friendly interface for ship surveyors that preserved all the established regulatory processes and data integrity of the original system.
Public sector essentials: Follow government API design standards for future cross-departmental integration, implement approved authentication methods and ensure new interfaces meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
Instead of risky big-bang replacements, progressive modernisation involves cataloguing functionality and incrementally replacing high-priority components. This works well within spending review cycles and reduces operational risk.
This approach aligns with Treasury business case requirements - each phase demonstrates clear service improvements and return on investment, making approval processes more manageable.
We took this refactoring approach to help modernise the Crown Commercial Service’s car leasing portal which is used across the whole of the UK’s public sector – preserving core features whilst improving the user interface and delivering new features and functionality.
Implementation framework: Align upgrade phases with budget cycles and maintain parallel running until functional parity has been confirmed.
In extreme cases, especially where legacy code is poorly documented or too complex to reverse engineer, automated code conversion may be the only viable option. Tools like GitHub and Copilot can help translate legacy languages (e.g. COBOL) into modern equivalents like C#.
We are currently working on a major modernisation project to replace a complex but critical system for the Isle of Man Government. Due to a multitude of factors including the age and underlying technology of the existing system, a rewrite was required. However, for some small sections of existing business logic, the most viable way of accurately recreating the equivalent logic was to use Copilot to directly convert the COBOL to C#. While this approach carries risk, it can be mitigated using a comprehensive suite of automated “unit” tests to validate functional parity.
Public sector safeguards: Extensive testing against known scenarios, gradual rollout starting with non-citizen-facing functions, maintained fallback capability, and comprehensive documentation for future teams.
Whatever path you choose, a thorough discovery to address public sector complexities is essential:
Key considerations: Consider regulatory or legislative requirements, minimum service levels during transition, staff consultation needs, and applicable procurement frameworks.
Legacy modernisation in the public sector succeeds through incremental, risk-managed approaches that respect unique public service constraints and responsibilities. Whether surfacing data for better decisions, creating APIs for improved citizen interfaces, progressively replacing components, or converting critical code sections, success depends on thorough planning and stakeholder engagement.
The goal isn't just technical modernisation; it's enabling better public services that meet citizen expectations while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources. Your legacy systems can become the foundation for improved citizen services rather than digital transformation barriers.
With careful planning aligned to government standards and appropriate support, you can balance innovation with stability, reduce risk while delivering real value, and modernise in ways that fit your context while setting up future success.
#LiberateLegacy
Welcome to Building the Smarter State Week 2025 running from the 8-12 September!
Building the Smarter State is techUK’s flagship public services conference and the go-to event for public sector digital leaders.
This new report commissioned by techUK’s Public Services Board and written by Henham Strategy presents a strategic assessment of digital procurement across government and makes the case for a fundamental shift in funding for digital services.
techUK drives public sector digital transformation by uniting the public sector and tech industry. Through early market engagement, efficient procurement, and innovative technology adoption, we help to modernise legacy IT, and enable efficient, secure, and personalised services.
Get involved: We run a busy calendar of activity including events, reports, and insights that demonstrate some of the most significant digital transformation opportunities for the sector. Our Transforming Public Services Hub is where you will find details of all upcoming activities. We also send a monthly public services newsletter to which you can subscribe here.
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Associate Director, Local Public Services, techUK
Associate Director, Local Public Services, techUK
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.
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK
Heather is Associate Director, Central Government and Education at techUK, working to represent the tech supplier community to Central Government.
She started as Head of Central Government at techUK in April 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director in August 2025 supporting both the Central Government and Education programmes.
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.
Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK
Associate Director, Defence and National Security, techUK
Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.
Fred is responsible for techUK’s market engagement and policy development activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working closely with various organisations within the Ministry of Defence, and across the wider National Security and Intelligence community. Fred works closely with many techUK member companies that have an interest in these sectors, and is responsible for the activities of techUK's senior Defence & Security Board. Working closely with techUK's Programme Head for Cyber Security, Fred oversees a broad range of activities for techUK members.
Outside of work, Fred's interests include football (a Watford FC fan) and skiing.
Programme Manager, Education and EdTech, techUK
Programme Manager, Education and EdTech, techUK
Austin leads techUK’s Education and EdTech programme, shaping strategies that support the digital transformation of schools, colleges, and universities. His work focuses on strengthening the UK’s education technology ecosystem, enhancing core technology foundations, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.
Austin also chairs the EdTech Advisory Panel for AI in Education, contributing to national discussions on the future of EdTech, AI, and the UK's Education system.
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
Senior Programme Manager, techUK
Senior Programme Manager, techUK
Raya Tsolova is a Programme Manager at techUK.
Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week.
Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there.
Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows!
Programme Manager - Justice & Emergency Services, techUK
Programme Manager - Justice & Emergency Services, techUK
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
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.