NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Donor Platform Market Engagement Roundtable
10am – 12pm9 June 2025
In Person
techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for managing the nation's Whole Blood, Plasma, and Platelet donations, providing over 1.8 million units of blood products annually to patients across the UK, as well as managing organ, stem cell, and tissue donation and transplantation.
Following work with techUK and its members earlier this year on its wider platform strategy, NHSBT is progressing with the Donor and Session Programme, a transformative digital programme that aims to modernise donor engagement and donation session delivery. This will replace critical NHS functionality currently in the legacy blood and tissue management system, Pulse.
NHSBT is hosting pre-market engagement activity specifically focused on the technology stack for the programme. While NHSBT architecture reviews have recommended a new CRM-based solution, NHSBT remains open toalternativerecommendations including a multi-platform approach. NHSBT is keen to engage with a wide range of suppliers to explore best-in-class approaches and innovative delivery models to deliver it’s multi-faceted capability needs which include: optimised mass market engagement, intelligent appointment booking and management, clinical case management, optimised donation session delivery.
This roundtable will focus on:
Understanding how NHSBT could approach transitioning donor and session capabilities from their current legacy system to new system(s).
Phasing this transition while keeping the existing system operational, ensuring integration with existing systems where necessary and decommissioning legacy capability when redundant
Identifying opportunities for multiple suppliers to be involved in delivering different components of the platform(s).
Gaining insights on structuring agile delivery, effective supplier engagement and proportionate governance and assurance throughout the programme.
There will be two distinct strands to this market engagement: (1) exploring what NHSBT wants to build, and (2) how best to deliver it. This roundtable offers suppliers an opportunity to contribute to both.
This session will be held in person at techUK’s offices on Monday 9 June 2025, 10:00–12:00. Attendance is limited to two representatives per organisation due to space constraints.
After the event, you will be invited to participate in a market engagement survey, helping NHSBT further clarify its requirements and ensure best fit with the market.
If your organisation has expertise in legacy transformation, agile delivery, market engagement technology, CRM or clinical service innovation, techUK encourage you to attend and share your insights.
Robert Walker
Head of Health & Social Care, techUK
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!
Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK
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.
Rachel Kennedy
Programme Manager Health and Social Care, techUK
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.
Francesca Richiusa
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 is helping its members navigate the complex space of digital health in the UK to ensure our NHS and social care sector is prepared for the challenges of the future. We help validate new ideas and build impactful strategies, ultimately ensuring that members are market-ready. Visit the programme page here.
Health and care policy review: Q2 of 2025
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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.
