Webinar: Local Digital Index 2023 recap – How can the UK’s tech sector strengthen local economies?
10.30am – 11.30am8 December 2023
Online
Join us for this webinar on techUK’s Local Digital Index for 2023, exploring the Index findings, what this means for the tech sector, companies, employees and economy. The session will discuss how and why companies, combined authorities and others must strengthen the UK’s regional tech sector alongside London, what companies need to be thinking about in terms of devolution, levelling up and improving regional activity.
techUK launched the third edition of the Local Digital Index at Birmingham Tech Week. The Index presented a varied picture for the tech sector across the UK’s nations and regions amidst challenging economic conditions, both domestically and internationally. While the digital ecosystems across the UK have overall improved since 2020 thanks to government and business intervention, a concern emerges that technological innovation may be outpacing the speed at which the UK is embracing these transformative changes.
From finance to skills, digital infrastructure to innovation, and collaborative working there’s more to consider to ensure the whole UK benefits from technological advances, new roles in tech, and wider improvements to public services.
The Index highlights the potential for growth and economic development by bridging the gap in Digital GVA between regions. If the six regions with the lowest Digital GVA reached the UK median, it could contribute a remarkable £4.8 billion to the UK economy. Join us on 8 December to find out more about how we can improve the whole UK’s tech sector and digital economy.
Ileana Lupsa
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.
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, 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 Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
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. We provide opportunities for our members and local stakeholders to meet, build relationships, and collaborate to drive forward local projects. For more information or to get in touch, please visit our Nations and Regions Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Speaking at a launch event at techUK, the Prime Minister's Adviser on AI Opportunities Matt Clifford and Minister Feryal Clark announced the next steps of the Government’s plan to supercharge AI capacity and economic growth through AI Growth Zones.
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Contact the team:
Matt Robinson
Head of Nations and Regions, techUK
Matt Robinson
Head of Nations and Regions, techUK
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
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.
Kerensa Jennings is BT Group Director of Digital Impact. She leads a large portfolio of social impact programmes and initiatives. Previously she was CEO of the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA), an international programme aiming to help address the digital skills gap.
James Antell is a Senior Consultant at Henham Strategy, where he led on the development of the Local Digital Index 2023. Henham is a policy and public affairs consultancy, which has worked with techUK to produce the Local Digital Index for the past three years.
James’ other work at Henham covers tech, fintech, higher education and trade & investment. Prior to joining Henham, James was a Government Special Adviser, working on legislation, media and speechwriting. Prior to this, he worked as Chief of Staff to a MP. Before entering the world of SW1, James was a business strategy consultant.
Claire is a Faster Britain Ambassador at ITS Technology where her role is focused in the north of England and more specifically on ITS’ biggest joint venture, with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The JV, LCR Connect, is building a 212km full fibre, gigabit capable spine through six local authority areas to ensure future proofed digital connectivity for local businesses. Claire’s role involves engaging a wide spectrum of private, public and third sector stakeholders to maximise the positive impact of the new infrastructure.
She is passionate about conveying the role digital connectivity can play in underpinning innovation, inward investment, social value in underserved communities and increasing productivity.
Previously Claire working at a Local Enterprise Partnership where her role included listening to the business community to understand the challenges and barriers to growth, and worked in partnership to deliver local interventions.
Matthew Evans leads techUK’s Market Programme teams and is a member of the senior leadership team.
The Market Programme teams help techUK members apply innovative technology solutions across a range of sectors, including the Public Sector, Financial Services and Cyber.
Prior to his appointment in early 2019, Matt led techUK’s Smart Infrastructure and IoT work, as well as being CEO of the Broadband Stakeholder Group. During this time he led the telecoms industry’s approach to lowering the cost of network deployment, played a key role in coordinating it’s response to Brexit and was closely involved in the development of the Government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review. He also assisted in the development of the UK’s first secure by design Code of Practice aimed at consumer IoT, oversaw the publication of a paper outlining the tech sector’s view of future mobility services and drove engagement around the use of digital twins.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked in Arqiva's public policy team, across the broadcast and telecoms markets. Before that he was a researcher for an MP at Westminster.
Sheila has over 30 years experience in the global tech sector. She is a business leader who has a passion for enhancing diversity in the workplace and creating exciting careers for the next generation of digital talent. She played an integral role in FDM’s flotation on AIM in 2005 and was a key instigator of the management buy-out of the Group in 2010 and the subsequent listing onto the main FTSE Market in 2014. Sheila’s knowledge of the sector has been crucial in driving FDM’s global expansion programme, taking them into the FTSE250. She spearheads the ‘Global Women in Tech’ campaign and created FDM’s Returners Programme. Sheila sits on the Board of techUK. One of her proudest moments in business was when FDM achieved a zero gender pay gap.
She has won numerous awards during her career for services to the tech industry and was recognised in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list with ‘Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire’ for her services to gender equality in IT and the employment of graduates and returners. She is also listed in Computer Weekly’s ‘Most Influential Women in UK Tech, Hall of Fame.’ At the 2020 European Tech Women Awards, The Department of Trade and Industry recognised her outstanding achievements by conferring Sheila with a ‘Career Recognition’ award. Some of her other recent accolades include, Information Age ‘Women of the Year 2018,’ ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 2017 Scotland Women in Tech Awards, ‘Tech Champion’ at the 2018 TechWomen100 Awards, as well as being regularly named one of the 25 Most Influential Women of the North American Mid-Market by CEO Connection. She has also been named ‘Entrepreneur of the year’, ‘Leader of the Year,’ included in the 100 Women Role Models in Tech by Business Cloud and selected as one of Brummell Magazine’s Top 30 Most Inspirational Female Entrepreneurs in the City.
Sheila is fully invested in progressing broader diversity matters beyond gender and is inspirational in showing the way and proving what’s possible – especially (but not exclusively) for women.
When she is not working she can be found flying an R44 helicopter over the Sussex Downs.