Watch now: Building smarter businesses: leveraging cloud services to drive growth and innovation
You can watch the full session here:
On 3 April 2025 techUK was delighted to host this event bringing together techUK members and thought leaders from across the industry, to explore the role of cloud-enabled digital transformation in boosting economic growth.
We know that digital technology has a key role to play in bridging the gap between the UK's historically sluggish productivity and the urgent need for stronger economic growth. In a series of panel sessions our speakers assessed various barriers to growth and explored how cloud-based tools can help businesses be more efficient, innovative, and productive.
Speakers:
- Glen Robinson, National Technology Officer, Microsoft UK
- Ursula Morgenstern, CEO, Littlefish
- Simon Bennett, Private Cloud CTO, Rackspace Technology
- Gerard Lavin, Field CTO, Cloud Software Group
- Sue Daley OBE, Director of Tech and Innovation, techUK (Chair)
The panel opened with a broad discussion of how digital transformation can be a catalyst for productivity growth but isn’t a panacea and must be based on a clear understanding of an organisation’s challenges, objectives, and use-case for a technology investment.
A lack of investment in the quality and accessibility of underlying data in many organisations was seen as a key barrier to realising the potential of cloud-based analytics and new technologies such as generative AI.
The panel considered the difference between high rates of digital adoption, where the UK has done relatively well, and successful digital transformation, where many organisations still struggle to deliver the full benefits of a technology investment.
Understanding how your business needs to change and how your sector is evolving is key to a successful cloud modernisation project or AI integration. Skills, cost of investment, and a lack of FinOps best practice are also barriers to cloud modernisation.
The panel also discussed what levers UK Government can pull to accelerate both the pace of digital adoption and the success of digital transformation, including:
- Speed and clarity on regulatory reform when it pertains to data and cybersecurity
- A risk mitigation framework for data access and use that would give confidence to UK organisations looking to benefit from a global network of cloud and AI infrastructure.
- Stability on the supply and cost of electricity to encourage long-term infrastructure investment.
- Investment in schools to give more young people deeper understanding of digital technologies and their potential before they go to university.
Chris Hazell
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster