This event will offer health and care technology companies large and small the opportunity to network, learn from one another and find new ways of collaborating and forging partnerships. Over the years, techUK has held a number of these events, and it is clear there is mutual benefit in the partnerships formed by SMEs and larger companies. It provides an opportunity for SMEs to showcase their innovation and capabilities, a chance for larger companies to improve the services they deliver in the public sector through taking advantage of what SMEs can offer, and a way for both sides to expand the network of companies that they work with.
How it works:
Larger companies: The innovative nature of SMEs means that a partnership can bring a multitude of benefits, they’re highly capable, innovative and have the potential to transform public services. Large companies will discuss what they do to support SMEs, the value they see as a larger company in partnering with smaller companies and offer any advice for those looking to break into the market and partner with large organisations.
SMEs: techUK is always championing the work that SMEs do and the value they bring to the market. If you’re an SME, this is your chance to showcase exactly what it is that you do as a company, the benefits that you can provide to large organisations and the opportunities a partnership can provide. Moreover, look to highlight the challenges you face as an SME when trying to access the public sector market and how this might be overcome through partnering and networking. You’ll have two minutes to pitch.
For this event, we are delighted to be joined by Jonathan Cordwell, Principal Analyst, UK Health & Social Care Technology at GlobalData, who will start us off with a presentation on the latest trends in the digital health and care market.
Agenda
15:30 techUK welcome and introductions
15:35 Presentation, Jonathan Cordwell, Principal Analyst, UK Health & Social Care Technology, GlobalData
15:50 Short Q&A with Jonathan Cordwell
16:00 Large company presentations
16:15 SME pitches
16:45 Networking
If you would like to pitch at the event, please contact our Health and Social Care team: [email protected]; [email protected]. Spaces are limited, so book your place now!
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/
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Leontina Postelnicu
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Leontina joined techUK in March 2020, where she is now heading up the organisation’s Health and Social Care programme. At the moment, she is also completing an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London.
A former journalist, Leontina previously worked for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as an associate editor for its International and Media divisions. There, she covered the EMEA region for Healthcare IT News, MobiHealthNews and HIMSS TV, with a focus on policy and innovation, and contributed to the Women in Health IT newsletter and HIMSS Insights eBook.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, dancing, travelling and visiting her family in Romania, where she hails from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
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Rachel Kennedy
Programme Manager Health and Social Care, techUK
Rachel joined techUK in December 2024, as a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team.
Prior to this, Rachel worked at a specialist health and social care public affairs agency, working with a range of organisations and trade bodies across the medical technology, pharmaceutical, digital health and social care sectors. As well as this, Rachel was part of the Secretariat for a number of health and care related All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Rachel has a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Leeds, as well as a first-class honours in Politics BA from Newcastle University.
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Robert Walker
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!
- Email:
- [email protected]
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Viola Pastorino
Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
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