techUK's Building the Smarter State conference offers a unique opportunity to join over 200 senior leaders and decision-makers from across government and the technology sector to explore how innovation is transforming public services.
This year's event will spotlight real-world examples of digital excellence - both at home and abroad - covering themes including world-leading AI in the public sector, digital sovereignty, and resilience in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. With the UK government's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government and AI Opportunities Action Plan firmly on the agenda, attendees will gain direct insight into how policy is being turned into action.
The conference brings together an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Liisa Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia, Masahiro Ihara, Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer of GovTechTokyo, Matthew Dutton, Chief Technology Officer at the Home Office, Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer for Liverpool City Region, and, Madeline Hoskin, Chief Technology Officer for North Yorkshire Council.
Sessions will tackle the full breadth of the digital transformation agenda - from responsible AI procurement and citizen-centred service design, to the lessons the UK can draw from some of the world's most advanced digital governments. Whether you are looking to benchmark your own organisation's approach, forge new connections, or stay ahead of the curve on public sector innovation, this is an essential event for anyone with a stake in building the smarter state.
Confirmed speakers:
- Liisa Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia
- Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer, Liverpool City Region
- Sidsel Bülow Skovborg, Digitalisation Diplomat, Royal Danish Embassy
- Karl Hoods CBE, Group Chief Digital and Information Officer, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
- Matthew Dutton, Chief Technology Officer, Home Office
- Masahiro Ihara, Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), GovTechTokyo
- Madeline Hoskin, Chief Technology Officer, North Yorkshire Council
- Kalbir Sohi, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), Government Digital Service, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
The agenda includes:
- Delivering world class public services: Citizens have come to expect speed, clarity and quality from public services. This keynote address will explore how government is looking to renew the public sector to deliver world class public services.
- Delivering world-leading responsible AI-driven public services: The UK government is actively pursuing world-leading AI-driven public services. The panel will be an opportunity to discuss how will turn policy into action. Understanding how we capitalise on the opportunities AI, while mitigating any risks, to deliver better public service outcomes.
- Procuring the smarter state: Delivering innovation and better citizen outcomes: This panel will rethink the role of procurement in delivering innovative public services. It will examine how the procurement landscape is changing – including funding challenges, the use of AI, the impact of the Procurement Act – and what these differences mean for delivering better outcomes.
- Securing resilience in a changing world: In an era defined by rapid technological shifts and geopolitical uncertainty, resilience has become more than a strategic advantage — it’s a necessity. This session explores what it truly means to build resilience a resilient digital government.
- Global lessons, local impact: What governments can learn from each other: There is a world of digital best practice. This panel session will shine a spotlight on the good digital governance and processes happening at home and abroad. It will also explore the foundations put in place to enable a more innovative, smarter state.
- Fireside chat with Estonian Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta: This session offers an intimate, insightful conversation with an influential digital leader. It provides a chance to step beyond formal presentations and explore the real stories, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping technology‑driven transformation.
Delegate profile
Previous delegates have included Digital Ministers, Chief Commercial Officers, and Chief Digital and Information Officers from Whitehall departments, local government, and UK cities.
Book your ticket today.
Event details:
Location: Central London
Timing: All day conference
Tickets:
- techUK member rate (SME): £240+VAT
- techUK member rate (standard): £300+VAT
- Non-member rate : £400+VAT
Public Sector - this event is free to attend for public sector delegates, if you have any issues registering please contact [email protected]
Please note: a refund will be given on cancellations received in writing 6 weeks prior to the event. Regrettably no refunds can be given after this date. Full terms and conditions can be viewed here.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
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.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
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!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2015
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx
Charles Bauman
Charles Bauman
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bauman-75712016b/
Margot Stumm
Margot Stumm
Margot joined techUK in September 2022 as the Head of Events and Sponsorship, running the event programme for our flagship events, such as the techUK Annual Dinner, Defence Ethics Summit, Building the Smarter State etc
Prior to this role, Margot managed events and external affairs for the Centre for Policy Studies, a political think tank in Westminster and also worked at the D Group, a London-based business membership organisation, where she was responsible for the events programme, account management and business strategy.
She holds a BA in Technical Translation in English, French and Spanish from Paris 7 - Denis Diderot and a MA in International Relations from the London Metropolitan University.
Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, going to concerts and snowboarding.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @margot_stumm,@margot_stumm
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-stumm-82ba15128
Dora Pass
Dora Pass
Dora joined techUK in October 2019 as an Events Assistant, coordinating and delivering our flagship events.
Prior to joining the team, Dora worked as a Senior Events Coordinator at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors at Parliament Square managing conferences and high profile ministerial events.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2003
Georgina Maratheftis
Georgina Maratheftis
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.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2029
- Twitter:
- @GeorginaMarath
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-maratheftis-0a002a102/
