Building the Smarter State 2026: Delivering world leading public services

Julian David OBE

CEO, techUK

Julian David is the CEO of techUK, the leading technology trade association that aims to realise the positive outcomes that digital technology can achieve for People, Society, the Economy and the Planet.

He leads techUK’s 100+ strong team representing 1,100+ British based tech companies, comprising global and national champions and more than 600 SMEs and ScaleUP companies. techUK is the voice of the tech industry in the UK with 21 member led programmes covering all of tech from ‘Chips to Clicks’ and addressing 11 market sectors from Defence and Central Government, through to Health, Consumer Electronics and Financial Services.

In 2021 techUK launched TechSkills, the employer-led accreditation organisation that aims to improve the flow of talent into the digital workforce and open up access for all to high value tech jobs.

Julian represents techUK on a number of external bodies including the Digital Economy Council, the National Cyber Security Advisory Council and the Department of Business and Trade’s Strategic Trade Advisory Group. He is member of the NTA Advisory Board of DIGITALEUROPE and is a member of the Board of the Health Innovation Network the South London Academic Health Science Network.

Julian has over thirty years of experience in the technology industry. Prior to joining techUK, he had a series of leadership roles at IBM including Vice President for Small and Medium Business and Public Sector. After leaving IBM he worked as a consultant helping tech SMEs establish successful operations in the U.K. His personal interests include Football (West Ham, Balham FC and Real Madrid) and Art.

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James Frith MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office,

James Frith MP was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office on 3 March 2026. He is responsible for delivering the government’s ambition for a national Digital ID system that is useful, secure and for everyone. 

Beyond his Ministerial role, Minister Frith is an experienced parliamentarian, social entrepreneur and advocate with a strong track record of championing charities in the health, education and faith sectors. Outside of work, Minister Frith is an avid sports fan and musician. 
 

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Matthew Dutton

Chief Technology Officer, Home Office

Matthew Dutton is Chief Technology Officer at the Home Office, leading a team of over 1,500 with responsibility for technology strategy, assurance, architecture, software engineering, innovation, and automation.

He delivers across all missions including Migration, Borders, Passports, Civil Registration, National Policing, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, and Arms-Length Bodies.

Previously, Matthew was Portfolio CTO for Migration and Borders, overseeing technical architecture, cybersecurity operations, data assurance, and governance across services supporting over 50,000 users.

He is also the Senior Responsible Owner for Core Cloud, a programme modernising one of the largest cloud estates in government, and formerly led the Law Enforcement Community Network programme, transforming secure communications across UK policing.

Matthew holds an MSc in Cybercrime and a BSc in Computing, IT and Business. He is part of the Home Office crisis response cadre, trained in Gold and Silver command, and has led responses to major events and international crises. He also volunteers with Thames Valley Police as a Digital and Cyber Specialist.

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Chris Wales

Director of Innovation, Brighton & Hove Council

 
Chris Wales is the Director of Digital Innovation at Brighton & Hove City Council. He is responsible for its Turbocharging Innovation programme, an initiative to radically rethink the operating model for local councils which identified almost £20m of savings in its first few months. He has previously worked as the Chief Information Officer at West Northamptonshire Council and at CIPFA, following on from a career spanning public, private and third sector organisations. He is a passionate advocate for using technology and digital transformation to solve public sector challenges and meet the demands of the 21st century.
 

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Damon Crawford

Practice Director for Hyperscale, SCC

Damon Crawford is Practice Director for Hyperscale at SCC, alongside serving as Chief Operating Officer at Moblox. With nearly 30 years’ experience across cloud, hyperscale, security and digital platforms, he has led senior roles at organisations including Six Degrees, Redcentric and Outsourcery. Damon brings deep expertise in building and scaling technology practices that deliver secure, modern services for both public and private sector organisations.

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Sue Daley OBE

Director, Technology and Innovation, techUK

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work at techUK.

This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.

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Tiffany St James

Chief AI Officer, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Tiffany St James is the Chief AI Officer for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. This role is the first public sector CAIO in the UK and the first regional public sector CAIO currently in post.

Tiffany is an award-winning AI and digital strategist and leadership psychologist, recognised for her pioneering contributions to digital transformation in government and public services. With over two decades of experience spanning central and local government, global organisations, and the private sector, she brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, technical understanding, and public impact.

Tiffany has trained over 10,000 professionals in practical digital and AI skills, delivered AI and digital capability programmes to more than 70 local authorities across the UK, and served as an AI leadership consultant to national and international organisations.

She authored the UK’s first State of the Nation report on AI in Adult Social Care across 23 councils in the North West, for NW ADASS, providing frameworks and resources now available to all local authorities. Tiffany also advises the Data for London Advisory Board at the Greater London Authority and has supported the development of AI and digital strategies across government bodies.

Her early public service work includes launching Directgov (precursor to GOV.UK) as its first Communications Director, launching DATA.GOV.UK in collaboration with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, and serving as the UK Government’s first Head of Public Participation, a global first in digital policy co-creation. She led all digital communications for the Grenfell Response Team in Gold Command, designing the strategy and overseeing crisis communications delivery.

Tiffany previously held the roles of Chief Digital Officer and Director of Residents’ Experience at Lambeth Council, where she developed and implemented cross-council digital transformation strategies and governance for over 100 digital projects.

Tiffany’s previous work has also straddled digital transformation in both public and private sector through the consultancy she founded Transmute; socio-economic development, raising funds for international development projects in the Wellbeing sector through Vitalis Capital and as a global keynote speaker on technology for 15 years.

She has been recognised as one of 25 women who have shaped the British digital industry over the past 25 years and holds multiple national and international awards for her contributions to AI, digital strategy and leadership. In 2026 she was voted into the Government AI 100, Apolitical’s list of top global government pioneers globally.

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Kalbir Sohi

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), Government Digital Service, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)

Kalbir is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) at the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. In this role, Kalbir oversees the AI teams within GDS, leading dedicated units focused on identifying, testing, and scaling artificial intelligence solutions across government to create a more productive state and improve citizens’ lives. This work aligns with the objectives set out in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.

Before joining GDS, Kalbir served as Product Director for Core Infrastructure at Spotify, where he led teams responsible for building and scaling foundational engineering platforms that underpin Spotify’s global services. Kalbir’s career spans both the public and private sectors, with senior roles at Facebook, Weaveworks, and HM Revenue & Customs, and experience as a startup founder and CEO. Combining public service, entrepreneurship, and deep technical leadership, Kalbir has extensive expertise in cloud infrastructure, practical use of AI/ML, data governance, and product strategy, with a strong emphasis on the responsible use of advanced technologies."
 

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Gus Tugendhat

Founder, Tussell

Gus leads Tussell, the market’s trusted source of data on UK government contracts. He discovered the power of data when he started his career in investment banking at Lazard and other banks. Then he pivoted to building data-driven businesses, first at Thomson Reuters where he was a Managing Director, and then by founding Tussell. A few years on, Tussell is a high-growth and profitable software business

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Dale Cox

Head of Commercial Innovation Policy, DSIT's Commercial Innovation Hub

Dale is currently Head of Commercial Innovation Policy in DSIT's Commercial Innovation Hub. He joined the hub in April 2026 having spent the previous five years working as a Commercial practitioner supporting innovative Research and Development projects across UK Space Agency, DSIT's Future Networks Programme and 5G Testbeds and Trials.

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Sam Trendall

Editor, PublicTechnology

Sam is editor of PublicTechnology, the UK’s leading source of daily news and analysis for anyone interested in how the public sector is using technology, data and digital platforms to transform citizen services. As editor, Sam oversees overall editorial output and direction, as well continuing to report breaking news and write interviews and features. He is also heavily involved in the publication’s growing portfolio of in-person and online events for its core audience of public sector digital, data, technology, and cyber professionals. Sam has been a journalist for 20 years and worked for various local news, technology and business publications before joining PublicTechnology in 2017.

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Madeline Hoskin

Chief Technology Officer, North Yorkshire Council

Madeline is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for North Yorkshire Council, leading one of England’s largest local government technology estates through significant modernisation and organisational reform. She leads the technology strategy, security, resilience, and governance, ensuring systems and services are robust, scalable and focused on residents and frontline delivery.

Madeline is recognised for her clear, pragmatic leadership in strengthening data foundations, addressing legacy technology, and guiding complex transformation across a newly merged unitary authority. She plays a national role in shaping the future of local government technology, contributing to cross‑government work on reusable components, modern architectures and the evolving Government Digital Service (GDS Local) approach as an expert Local Government advisor.

Alongside her technical leadership, Madeline champions inclusive, supportive working environments that enable teams to perform at their best. A regular public-sector speaker, she brings grounded insight into delivering modern, citizen‑centred services at scale in politically visible and operationally complex settings.

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Omid Shiraji

Portfolio Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Omid Shiraji is a portfolio Chief Digital/Information Officer, advisor and Non-Executive Director with experience working at board and executive level across large private, public-sector and regulated organisations.

He specialises in digital, data, AI and innovation, alongside operating-model change, helping leaders and boards turn emerging technologies into practical, scalable outcomes. He is known for supporting organisations through complex transformation, service resilience challenges and financial pressure while staying grounded in delivery rather than experimentation for its own sake. His background spans employability, probation, higher education, transport, emergency services, local government and cross-organisation partnerships.

Omid is a Non-Executive Director at Transport for London, where he chairs the Safety and Security Committee, and at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. He is also a Trustee of P3 Charity. He sits on the Mayor of London’s Data for London Board and established the London Office of Technology and Innovation, a collaboration bringing London boroughs together to design, test and scale new approaches to public service delivery.

 

Alongside his public-sector roles, Omid works with start-ups and scale-ups as an investor, advisor and mentor, supporting founders and leadership teams on strategy, product–market fit, operating models and the responsible exploitation of data and AI. He is particularly experienced in helping early-stage and scaling organisations navigate growth in regulated and complex environments.

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Glen Ocsko

Advisor, Local Gov Digital (MHCLG)

Glen Ocskó is a technology and strategy consultant specialising in the UK public-sector digital ecosystem. He works with government departments, local authorities and technology suppliers to improve how digital services are bought, delivered and scaled. His work focuses on understanding the supplier landscape, strengthening collaboration between the public sector and vendors, and helping organisations make clearer technology decisions.

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Fiona Mcadoo

Senior Director UKI Public Sector Transformation, Oracle

With almost 20 years of experience in the public sector, Fiona is dedicated to transforming public services through innovation and technology. At Oracle, she helps organisations reimagine digital delivery, driving productivity, efficiency, and meaningful improvements for citizens. With a strong background in service design, organisational design, and transformation, Fiona is passionate about supporting leaders to harness technology’s full potential to create lasting impact.

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Heather Cover-Kus

Associate Director, Central Government and Education, techUK

No bio provided

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Sonia Patel

Interim Government Chief Technology Officer, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Sonia joined as interim Government Chief Technology Officer on 1st April 2026 following her role as CTO at NHS England.
 
With more than 20 years’ experience in the healthcare sector, Sonia is widely recognised as an influential digital leader with a strong track record of delivering innovation in complex and challenging environments. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. 
 
She is an active advocate of the Shuri Network, BCS and APHA, and she dedicates significant time to mentoring emerging digital talent, reflecting her passion for developing the next generation of health tech leaders.

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Christine Bellamy

Interim Director General, Digital Products Group, DSIT

Christine Bellamy is the Interim Director General for Digital Products. She was appointed in January 2026.

Christine was previously Government Chief Product Officer, appointed on an interim basis from January 2025 to December 2025.

She was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service (GDS) and held the position of Director of GOV.UK.

Before joining the Civil Service in 2022, Christine held a number of roles leading digital transformation and delivery at the BBC. Prior to this, she was a Managing Director at Johnston Media (2009 - 2012).

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Sidsel Bülow Skovborg

Digitalisation Councillor (diplomat), Danish Embassy

 Sidsel is the appointed Digitalisation Councillor (diplomat) at the Danish Embassy with a responsibility for fostering govermnent to government cooperation on public sector digitalisation. 

She has a background as Head of Digitalisation in local governments for many years as well as chief consultant at KOMBIT, a municipally owned IT company operating critical IT infrastructure and joint solutions for the 98 Danish municipalities.  Most recently Sidsel has worked at the Danish national cluster organisation for digital technologies and innovation.

Denmark rank as the world leading digital public sector according to the UN E-Government Survey 2024.

97 % of the Danish population has a digital id, 4,9 million Danes receive digital post from public authorities and the public´s satisfaction with the services is high and it keeps increasing. Sidsel will talk about the Danish digital fundament, the collaboration with European countries and why digital government matters for coherence in the Danish society.

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Karl Hoods CBE

Group Chief Digital and Information Officer, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Karl is an experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO) and has worked in the private, public and third sectors. He is currently the Group Chief Digital and Information Officer for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology at Integrated Corporate Services where he is responsible for the delivery of core services, digital transformation, innovation, knowledge management and shared services. 

Prior to joining BEIS Karl was CIO for Save the Children where he was responsible for the delivery of technology and digital services to support humanitarian, policy, advocacy, and fundraising activities. He has also held business technology leadership roles with web and sports media startups and led major change programmes for publishing leading publishers.  His career in startups fostered his interest in how emerging technology can be applied to business problems.  

Outside of work Karl is interested in education and sits on the boards of the Harris Federation, Bournemouth University, the Safe & Trusted AI Centre for Doctoral Training and King’s College London’s Department for Informatics Industry Advisory Board. In addition, he is on the global steering council for an international metaverse association. 

Karl is also a keen runner and has completed many marathons.
 

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Masahiro Ihara

Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), GovTechTokyo

Masahiro Ihara is the Executive Director and CTO of GovTech Tokyo, an independent foundation partnering with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to lead the digital transformation of one of the world's largest cities. He shapes Tokyo's technological vision, focusing on a fundamental shift toward in-house software development and the promotion of Digital Public Goods. His mission is to bridge the gap between traditional bureaucracy and modern agile development to create more responsive public services.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the private tech sector, Masahiro has a proven track record of scaling high-performing engineering organizations. He previously served as Head of Development at Yahoo! JAPAN and Head of Engineering at Cookpad Inc. In 2015, he founded Bit Journey, Inc., where he focused on tools for team knowledge sharing and collaboration, and has served as a strategic technical advisor to numerous high-growth startups across Japan.

At Building the Smarter State 2026, Masahiro will share insights into Tokyo's unique approach to Tech Insourcing. He will discuss the challenges of building a dedicated engineering force within government, the strategic implementation of Generative AI, and how Tokyo is leveraging Open Source to ensure long-term digital sovereignty for millions of residents.
Outside of work, Masahiro is a dedicated ultramarathon runner who has completed several 100-mile trail races. He is also a passionate gamer who finds that the resilience required for such races and the strategic problem-solving honed through gaming are deeply connected to the long-term endurance required for large-scale digital transformation.

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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 councils to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local authorities 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.

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.

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Murtaza Masood

Vice President & Managing Director, Global Public Sector, Box

Murtaza Masood is Vice President and Global Managing Director for Public Sector at Box, where he leads global strategy and execution to help government and public sector organisations modernise service delivery through secure, cloud-based technologies. With a career spanning enterprise technology, consulting, and public service, he brings a distinctive blend of commercial leadership and mission-driven impact. Murtaza serves as Global Managing Director at Box, following senior leadership positions across both the private and public sectors. He was Managing Principal at Tridens Partners and previously held the role of Assistant Director at the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources, where he oversaw enterprise IT operations for one of the largest county systems in the United States. Earlier in his career, he served as Chief Technology Officer at Lexipol and Vice President of Consulting at WAVE Technology Solutions Group, leading large-scale technology delivery, building high-performing teams, and driving multi-million-pound services organisations. In addition to his corporate leadership, Murtaza contributes to the broader public sector innovation ecosystem as part of MetroLab Network’s GenAI for Local Governments Task Force, helping to shape policy and explore the responsible application of AI in city services. Murtaza is driven by a core belief in transforming how organisations operate - whether commercial enterprises or public institutions - by improving service quality, enabling innovation, and delivering meaningful, measurable impact on the communities they serve.

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Matthew Evans

Director for Markets and COO, techUK

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.

Matt sits on the Steering Board of the Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce, Digital Framework Task Group,  andthe advisory board for the Prospering from the Energy Revolution industrial challenge fund.

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.

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Liisa-Ly Pakosta

Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Republic of Estonia

Liisa-Ly Pakosta is the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia. With a strong background in history, law, and public service, she has played a key role in shaping Estonia’s digital and legal landscapes. Her previous roles include Member of Parliament, Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner, and Director General of the Estonian National Heritage Board.

A passionate advocate for equal rights, digital innovation, and cultural preservation, she brings both policy expertise and a human-centered approach to leadership. Liisa holds degrees in history and law and is currently pursuing her PhD in law at the University of Tartu.

Outside of her official duties, she is a mother of five, a devoted craft enthusiast, and an active promoter of sustainable living

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Matthew Evans

Director for Markets and COO, techUK

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.

Matt sits on the Steering Board of the Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce, Digital Framework Task Group,  andthe advisory board for the Prospering from the Energy Revolution industrial challenge fund.

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.

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