techUK’s Central Government Council (CGC) is launching a new series called ‘Public Sector Tech Talks: In Conversation with…’. This event will be a regular series of fireside chats between CGC members and senior public sector figures, exploring their drivers, priorities and challenges, and aiming to improve the dialogue across the public sector tech ecosystem and set the scene for more meaningful market engagement.
We’re delighted to announce the first event of the series will take place on 12 October 2023 from 16:30 -18:30 (With networking drinks from around 17:30 onwards) at techUK Offices and feature Samantha Ulyatt, the Chief Commercial Officer at the Home Office. Following a 20-year career in Chemical manufacturing, Energy, Water and Nuclear sectors, Sam joined the civil service in 2016 as a senior leader in Crown Commercial Service (CCS) leading the Buildings Pillar which incorporated Workplace and FM, Construction and Utilities & Fuel. In July 2020 she joined the Home Office as Chief Commercial Officer.
We hope you’ll be able to join us for an illuminating discussion and great networking opportunity.
More about the series
The ‘Public Sector Tech Talks: In Conversation with…’ series is a part of the CGC’s efforts to drive an improvement in market engagement and build on the existing partnerships between Government departments and suppliers. Effective market engagement is crucial in enabling Government to get the most out of its supplier base, access innovative services & a diverse range of expertise, and think of novel approaches to complex problems. Equally, it allows potential suppliers to understand Government’s requirements better, opening up the market to more competition and leading to higher-quality supplier responses.
Good market engagement is a two-way street, an ongoing dialogue that should aim to enhance easy relationships between customers and suppliers. It must be an open conversation between both parties, so each understands the other’s requirements and capabilities, building the ground for a reliable and trusted partnership.
It is hoped that the Public Sector Tech Talks: In Conversation with…’ series will foster a wider, bi-directional, open and holistic dialogue between industry and Government that reaches beyond the procurement cycle and builds an effective ecosystem between public and private sectors.
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
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.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
- Email:
- ellie.huckle@techuk.org
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2015
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx
Annie Collings
Annie Collings
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
- Email:
- annie.collings@techuk.org
- Twitter:
- anniecollings24
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes, before progressing into Junior Programme Manager in January 2024.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
- Email:
- ella.gago-brookes@techuk.org