Innovation in Procurement – New Approaches to Public Sector Resilience
10am – 11.30am12 August 2025
Online
This session will explore how innovative approaches are helping public sector buyers respond to complex risks, improve supplier assurance, and unlock greater public value. With contributions from the Scottish Government and industry, we will examine how digital platforms and data-driven methods are enabling more effective, transparent, and resilient procurement.
Join us for a forward-looking conversation on how the UK public sector and public buying organisations can harness procurement to build a more secure, sustainable, and responsive future – and deliver high-impact public services.
Agenda
10.00 – 10.05: Welcome and Introductions
Opening remarks from techUK to frame the session and highlight the growing importance of procurement as a tool for public sector innovation, resilience, and strategic delivery.
10.05 – 10.10: The Strategic Importance of Procurement in the UK Public Sector
The Scottish Government shares how public procurement is evolving to meet national priorities such as net zero, economic growth, cyber resilience, and supply chain security.
10.10 – 10.20: techUK Member Case Study
Attendees will hear from a techUK member about how they are working to simplify the procurement journey.
10.20 – 10.25 What is CivTech and Why Does it Matter?
An introduction to the CivTech programme, which connects public sector challenges with innovative private sector solutions to deliver better public outcomes.
10.25 – 10.35: Introducing Supply25
An overview of the Supply25 platform, developed through CivTech to help public buying organisations streamline supplier assurance, reduce risk, and respond more intelligently to procurement challenges.
10.35 – 10.45: Voices from the Front Line: A Private Beta Perspective
A participating public buying organisation shares their experience from the Supply25 Private Beta, including early feedback, practical challenges, and the potential impact of digital procurement tools.
10.45 – 11.00: Demo: Supply25 in Action
A guided demonstration of the Supply25 platform, showing how it enables smarter, more transparent, and more resilient procurement through digital assessments, supplier insights, and risk monitoring.
11.00 – 11.25: Live Q&A
An opportunity for attendees to ask questions to a panel including representatives from techUK, the Scottish Government, Supply25, the beta participant and techUK member.
11.25 – 11.30: Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Final reflections and key takeaways on how innovation is helping to shape the future of procurement, with signposting for those who want to stay connected or learn more.
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
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.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
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.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
Local Digital Index 2024
Read our analysis of digital ecosystems across the UK in 2024.
Meet the Investors is a series of events helping UK tech SMEs navigate scale-up finance. Each event connects SMEs with investors and experts to share insights, funding tips, and networking opportunities.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
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.
