Digitalisation of the Public Sector 2025

As the Public Sector Lead for UK and Ireland at Hyland, a leading Gartner-recognised content services provider, I help public sector organisations unlock the full potential of their information and drive digital transformation. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales, I specialise in developing and executing go-to-market strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring impactful and results-driven solutions.

Passionate about delivering value, I work closely with customers to understand their challenges and provide tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, automation, and decision-making. A firm believer in the power of collaboration, I thrive on building strong relationships with stakeholders and leading high-performing teams.

Ben’s career started as a call handler in a contact centre, and from there Ben has held roles as a Community Care Practitioner in the duty team, a specialist in the LD and Transitions team, a Team Leader in the contact centre, and a Finance and Performance Manager overseeing Direct Payments. Ben’s expertise in process optimisation led him to contract development before transitioning into his current role.

Ben is passionate about reducing the recording burden for practitioners, ensuring that information is gathered at the right time, and leveraging digital tools - including automation - to improve efficiency. As Chair of the Customer Advisory Board with System C, Ben helped shape system developments that benefit local authorities nationwide. Ben is also involved in the AI Proof of Value (POV) with System C, exploring how artificial intelligence can support the future of public services.

Ben is driven by a core principle: keeping the person at the heart of decision-making, ensuring the best possible experience for those who need support, as well as professionals and private sector partners interacting with social care systems.

Alex Hay is an independent contractor specialising in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) consultancy with over ten years of experience in NHS and Social Care sectors. Adept in PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies, Alex has developed innovative solutions to improve patient care and streamline healthcare operations. He has collaborated with various organisations to drive advancements in health and social care through technology, notably implementing Patients Know Best across Cheshire; a patient focused portal linking social care, primary and secondary health care data, integrated with the NHS App to enhance communication and coordination.

Amrik is an accomplished leader known for his strategic insight and dedication to organisational growth. With 18 years in local government across operational and IT management roles and 16 years in IT leadership, he has consistently focused on enhancing local government and social care.

As Managing Director of the Social Care & Education division at System C, Amrik collaborates closely with customers to deliver high-quality, regulatory-compliant products and services. He leverages technology to reduce back-office costs, optimising budgets for social care and education.

Amrik is particularly passionate about the transformative potential of AI in social care and education, believing it will significantly shape the future, improving efficiency and automating routine tasks.

Kurt Frary is the Head of IT/ CTO at Norfolk County Council and also the Vice president of Socitm. Kurt has over 35 years’ experience working in ICT for both public and the private sector and his passion for digital innovation, change and technology is compelling.  He is currently leading Norfolk’s AI innovation programme, chairs Norfolk's AI Governance board and had just delivered Norfolk's Future Network programme.

Helen has been a councillor in Redbridge in east London since 2010. From 2014 she has held several different Cabinet roles starting with Regeneration, Planning and Property and leading on the delivery of the Local Plan. Her current portfolio is Resources and Transformation which encompasses ICT, Digital, Customers, Procurement and more. This has given her an in depth understanding of the scale of the challenges facing the Council and the need for technology and innovation to deliver services to citizens efficiently.

With over 25 years experience in IT, Paul joined Redcentric in October 2021 as part of the acquisition of Piksel Industry Solutions where he was Managing Director. As CTO, Paul is responsible for driving Redcentric’s technology strategy, both internally and externally by underpinning the solutions we offer to our customers. Paul is a passionate technologist with a keen interest in emerging technologies such as Large Language Models, Low/No-Code solutions as well as developments in established technologies such as data management, machine learning and cloud computing.

Jonathan is a digital specialist at the National Audit Office and has over 20 years' experience of assessing digital and technology programmes in the central government sector, including the management of associated technology risk.

He is a contributing author to numerous NAO reports including Digital transformation in government, Challenges in using data across government, Digital transformation in the NHS and The challenges in implementing digital change.

With over 20yrs experience of working with developing communities and neighbourhood inclusion, I enjoy looking for creative solutions with committed people.  Digital expectations during the cost-of-living crisis is a concern for everyone, and I am proud to be working in Stockport, where we have been able to work successfully with amazing partners to provide skills, devices, data and connectivity and support trusted faces in local places across the Borough.