A look back at our previous Building the Smarter State conferences, proudly sponsored in 2025 by industry leaders driving the future of public sector innovation:
A platform for promotions, reach, connection and influence
Through keynote speakers, panel sessions, tailored promotional campaigns, digital content, and face-to-face networking, the conference gives sponsors a strong mix of visibility, engagement, and meaningful connection with decision-makers shaping the smarter state.
Sponsoring Building the Smarter State offers organisations the chance to:
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Showcase expertise to a senior, policy-shaping audience across government and industry.
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Strengthen brand authority by aligning with one of the UK’s most respected platforms for digital public sector innovation.
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Build strategic relationships with leaders responsible for designing and delivering public service transformation.
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Demonstrate impact by contributing solutions and thought leadership to the challenges facing modern public services.
Learn more about available sponsorship options by getting in touch with our team.
Notable speakers
Christine Bellamy
Christine Bellamy
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley QPM
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley QPM
Sir Mark Rowley QPM is a leader in national security, crisis and risk management and transformation with a policing career that spans more than 30 years.
Sir Mark joined West Midlands Police in 1987 after graduating from Cambridge. He would spend the first ten years of his career with the force before joining the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) as a Detective Superintendent.
He spent three years with NCIS before joining Surrey Police. He ultimately became Chief Constable of Surrey in 2008, lifting public confidence levels to the highest in the country under his leadership.
In 2011, Sir Mark joined the Metropolitan Police as an Assistant Commissioner, responsible for Specialist Crime and Operations. In 2014 he took over responsibility for UK counter terrorism policing, leading the police response to the terror attacks in the summer of 2017.
Sir Mark received a knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen in 2018 for his “exceptional contribution to national security and national leadership at a time of unprecedented threat and personally providing reassuring national leadership through the attacks of 2017”.
Sir Mark left policing in 2018 and spent four years working on specialist security projects and on technology/data-led transformation in the private sector. Sir Mark co-authored ‘Operating with Impunity’ with the Commission for Countering Extremism, which was published in 2021 and made recommendations to Government for a step change in the law’s ability to tackle modern extremism.
In April 2022, Sir Mark published ‘The Sleep of Reason’, his debut novel co-authored with journalist David Derbyshire.
He was appointed as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in July 2022, tasked with reforming the organisation and restoring public confidence after a period of unprecedented challenge.
He took up his post in September 2022 and has set out an ambitious agenda to rebuild the Met’s relationship with Londoners by delivering More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards through the New Met for London Plan.
Emily Middleton
Emily Middleton
Emily Middleton is the Interim Director General for Digital Transformation within the Government Digital Service (GDS) at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). She is responsible for catalysing cross-government digital transformation from within the Government Digital Service. This includes digital strategy, performance and assurance, service transformation, the public sector adoption of AI, plus the foundations that enable transformation such as data, technical architecture, the service manual, and digital skills and capability in the civil service.
Emily was previously a partner at the consultancy Public Digital. She set up the firm’s international practice, working with multilateral development banks, UN agencies and philanthropies. She has worked with governments around the world to develop digital strategies and to design, scale and reboot digital and data units.
Prior to joining Public Digital, Emily led the design of the London Office of Technology and Innovation. Earlier in her career, while at the Boston Consulting Group, she worked on digital strategy and transformation programmes in Europe and Southeast Asia. She has also worked for UNICEF Innovation and the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia.
Kamal Bal
Kamal Bal
Rob Thompson
Rob Thompson
Fellow of BCS (FBCS), Fellow of IET (FIET), Chartered Engineer (C.Eng), Batchelor of Engineering (B.Eng), MPLA Graduate.
Rob is an accomplished CDIO & CTO. He spearheads digital, technology and innovation at the UK Home Office. Renowned for strategic vision and impactful leadership, he excels in digital transformation, digital product development, and leading large-scale IT organisations, delivering critical services in complex organisations.
Rob joined the Home Office as CTO in 2018 and has recently transitioned to the role of CDIO, setting the department 2030 Digital Strategy which has recently been published on GOV.UK.
In addition to his role at the Home Office, Rob is also a Non-Executive Director & Trustee of the British Computer Society, supporting the wider UK IT industry.
The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP
The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP
Theo Blackwell MBE
Theo Blackwell MBE
Hear from our 2025 sponsors
Our sponsors shared how Building the Smarter State provided a vital platform for dialogue between government, industry, and technology partners. The event offered a unique opportunity to connect directly with ministers, civil servants, and suppliers to explore how technology, people, and processes are shaping the future of efficient and effective public services. For details on how to get involved, contact our team.
Sponsorship packages
For package availability and next steps, reach out to us. * Exclusive of tax
Exhibition Stand Sponsor
[1 left] | £2,000*
Includes:
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Exhibitor branding in all promotional emails
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Logo + 50-word profile on the event website
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Mentions in techUK’s social updates
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3×2m exhibition stand in the networking area
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Two complimentary delegate passes
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Logo displayed on event signage and materials
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Recognition in techUK’s post-event thank-you email
Networking Sponsor
[Reserved] | £6,500*
Includes all Exhibition Stand Sponsor benefits, plus:
Add-ons:
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Feature in all promotional emails with logo, description, and links
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Mentions across techUK’s social media channels
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Branding on featured lunch, drinks, or networking areas
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Three additional complimentary delegate passes
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Priority recognition on email post-event newsletter
Panel Sponsor
[3 available] | £10,000*
Includes all Networking Sponsor benefits, plus:
Exclusive benefits:
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Two thought-leadership blog posts on the techUK website
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Sole sponsorship of one panel plenary session
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Opportunity to co-develop the session theme
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Deliver opening remarks and join the panel
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Logo on panel session screens and event signage
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Featured profile in the printed programme
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Acknowledgement in the official welcome address
Headline Sponsor
[1 available] | £20,000*
Includes all Breakout Sponsor benefits, plus:
Premium benefits:
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Enhanced social-media coverage
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Lead keynote speaker opportunity
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Collaboration on agenda themes and speakers
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Eight complimentary delegate passes
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Logo displayed on main stage screens
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Inclusion in the event’s opening video package
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Full-page advert in the printed programme
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Interview featured in event videos and post-event highlights
Sponsorship benefits
Each year, Building the Smarter State brings together senior digital leaders from central and local government with the technology industry. Sponsorship provides your organisation with unrivalled visibility, thought leadership opportunities, and meaningful engagement with decision-makers shaping the future of digital public services. Explore partnership opportunities by connecting with us.
Headline sponsor
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Thought Leadership and Agenda Influence: Work with techUK to shape the event’s strategic themes, ensuring alignment with the priorities of government and industry.
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Speaking Opportunities: Deliver a keynote address and participate in a high-profile panel discussion, reinforcing your organisation’s role at the centre of the public sector digital transformation agenda.
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Comprehensive Brand Visibility: Receive priority branding across all event materials including digital promotions, venue signage, and printed collateral.
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Strategic Networking: Host a premium exhibition space and meet directly with senior government representatives, leaders across the wider public sector, and key technology partners.
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Content and Video Marketing: Feature in a professionally produced video, which will be shared across techUK’s digital channels, extending your reach beyond the conference.
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Exclusive Recognition: Be acknowledged as the event’s sole Headline Sponsor through dedicated branding and inclusion in the official welcome address and the event’s sponsor materials.
Panel sponsor
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Content Leadership: Shape and host a panel session with techUK, selecting themes and speakers that reflect your expertise and thought leadership.
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Speaking and Moderation Roles: Open your session and join the discussion panel to engage directly with senior decision-makers and practitioners.
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Brand Exposure: Gain visibility across event marketing, including the website, promotional emails (10,000+ recipients), social channels, and printed programmes.
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Thought Leadership: Publish two 700-word blogs on the techUK website, which will then be amplified through social media channels with more than 30,000 combined reach.
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On-Site Engagement: Showcase your organisation in the networking area with a 3×2m exhibition stand.
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Relationship Building: Receive five complimentary passes for your team or guests to connect, collaborate, and strengthen relationships throughout the event.
Networking sponsor
- Exclusive Ownership of the Networking Zone: Your branding will feature across the coffee and lunch areas, driving strong connections and continuous visibility throughout the event.
- Brand Visibility: Prominent logo placement across the venue, website, digital marketing materials, and featured recognition in the welcome speech.
- Exhibition Space: Set up your 3×2m exhibition stand in the dedicated networking area, creating opportunities to meet decision-makers throughout the day.
- Pre-Event Promotion: Benefit from digital campaigns and social media promotions highlighting your participation.Access and Representation: Receive three complimentary tickets to the conference for your team or guests to attend.
Exhibition Stand sponsor
- Prime Exhibition Location: Secure a 3x2m stand in a high-traffic zone where delegates naturally gather to connect, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions.
- Enhanced Brand Recognition:Your logo and company description will feature on event slides, printed programmes, and the official BTSS event webpage, ensuring consistent visibility.
- Direct Access to Delegates: Engage directly with senior decision-makers throughout the day, supported by two complimentary delegate passes for your team.
- Digital Promotion: Benefit from inclusion in pre-event marketing, with your brand featured across targeted email campaigns (10,000+ recipients) and highlighted in techUK’s digital channels.
Get in touch
Interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities or developing a bespoke partnership with techUK?
Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch with more information.
For more information please contact:
Margot Stumm
Margot joined techUK in September 2022 as the Head of Events and Sponsorship, running the event programme for our flagship events, such as the techUK Annual Dinner, Defence Ethics Summit, Building the Smarter State etc
