Join us for techUK’s end of year local government celebration! This year the event is online to allow as many councils and members to join from across the country.
It is a chance for the sector to come together, share what has worked well in the past year, reflect on the digital highlights, achievements and prepare for what’s to come next.
2026 is a big year for the sector as it prepares for local government reorganisation (LGR). This event is a chance to better understand what the good digital best practises we take forward are, but also a chance to re-set and lay the foundations for the council of the future. Everything from the technologies to reimaging services to governance and culture.
We have the first ever Chief AI Officer, Tiffany St James, from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to discuss how AI can be used both ethically and effectively to better deliver services and improve outcomes. Ben Unsworth, Director Digital and Technology, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will share the local perspective, while Helen Stevenson, Programme Manager for Digital Capabilities, Local Government Association will share the tech trends and how LGR will be transforming the future of local government. To help industry put their best foot forward, Lorna Ingwell, Senior Researcher, Tussell, will be providing an overview of who the biggest buyers and suppliers of the year are and the contracts due to expire in 2026.
There will be plenty of time for Q&A and interaction. The speakers and audience will also be invited to make the predictions for 2026.
Plus, we see if the predictions for 2025 were correct!
Just some of the topics to be covered include:
- The tech trends and future delivery of local public services
- The impact of local government reorganisation (LGR) on digital transformation and what it means for councils and suppliers
- Where is local government innovation thriving
- The biggest buyers and suppliers of the year
- The contracts due to expire in 2026
- Tech predictions for 2026
Who should attend
This event is open to all techUK members and is free for public sector to attend. This event is relevant for any IT/Digital/Data/Procurement folk in local government as well as service leads, senior leaders and elected officials.
Speakers
Lorna Ingwell
Tiffany St James
Helen Stevenson
Ben Unsworth
Agenda and further speakers to be confirmed - please book your place now to join us!
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/
Luke Newcombe
Luke Newcombe
Luke joined techUK in September 2025 as a Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions.
Luke works closely with members and stakeholders across industry and government at local, regional and national levels to support collaboration, drive innovation and strengthen tech-enabled public services. His work supports the development of strong local and regional tech economies by helping organisations to engage with public sector challenges, explore emerging technologies and build impactful partnerships.
Prior to joining techUK, Luke worked at Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s export development agency. He began by advising SMEs on export strategy to the UK and later focused on connecting Irish businesses with multinational organisations to foster strategic partnerships, drive international growth and support economic development.
Luke holds an MSc in Political Economy from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Fran Richiusa
Fran Richiusa
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/
techUK - Transforming Public Services
techUK members are transforming public services in the UK. Our community help to shape a smarter, digitally empowered public sector.
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.
Upcoming 'Transforming Public Services' events
techUK Industry Briefing with Digital Health and Care Wales
Online Industry Briefing
Latest news and insights
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