GDS Local and MHCLG Local Digital: market shaping session
12pm – 1.30pm29 July 2026
Online
Technology doesn’t have to be built or bought on a place by place basis, and in this session, GDS Local and MHCLG Local Digital will set out how they’re planning to address these challenges with local government and the technology supplier sector.
GDS Local will talk through the work we are doing to improve the conditions in which councils buy, build and use technology, particularly through the Local Government Architecture Model and the action plan on market shaping.
In collaboration with councils and suppliers, this will help us identify practical interventions that support better procurement decisions, reduce duplication and enable more joined-up local public services.
Local Digital will provide an update on its work to improve understanding of the technology landscape across local government, as well as its developing approach to supplier engagement. The session will explore how these insights can help uncover opportunities, address common challenges, and shape targeted support for long-term digital transformation.
Key opportunities
Hear technology and market strategy plans presented by government departments supporting local government
Engage with commercial and technical ideas to address these challenges
Contribute perspectives and responses in a collaborative setting
Learn about more opportunities to inform plans going forward in our collaborative work with techUK.
Georgina Maratheftis
Associate Director, Local Public Services, techUK
Georgina Maratheftis
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.
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Luke Newcombe
Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
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.
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.
With the government recently publishing its first LGR decisions for four of the devolution fast-track areas, the process is now under way.
More resources
Visit our Transforming Public Services Hub
techUK unites the public sector and tech industry. Through early market engagement, procurement, and technology adoption, we help to modernise legacy IT, and enable efficient, secure, and personalised services. Click here to see more events, reports, and insights on this topic.