Innovation vs Institution - Are councils ready for reform — or stuck in the mud? In Partnership with Activate Learning

Steven Fry is the Chief Digital Officer at Salford City Council and one of the UK's Top 5 most influential AI leaders. He leads a 140-strong DDaT and Customer Experience function spanning AI and data, digital and data, programmes and PMO, and cyber and technology — and is a four-time CIO100 honouree (2021–2024). Over a decade in local government, Steven has built a reputation for reimagining public services from the ground up, combining a sociologist's lens with deep technical fluency to deliver agentic AI, cloud transformation, and customer experience programmes that put residents first.

Based in Greater Manchester, Steven describes himself as "the dark horse" of the DDaT industry — a system leader who pairs public sector reform with a willingness to tear up the playbook when it no longer serves the people on the other end of the service. He speaks regularly on AI in the public sector, human-centred service design.

Georgina Maratheftis is Associate Director for Local Public Services at techUK, where she works with suppliers and local authorities to create the conditions for meaningful digital transformation across the sector. She regularly brings together government and industry to explore how emerging technology can help solve pressing community challenges, and hosts techUK's Talking 5 interview series, spotlighting how local government suppliers are putting new technology into practice. Before techUK, Georgina worked in public policy events, developing content across education, criminal justice and health, with a particular focus on public sector transformation and technology.

Olly Hellis is the Digital Development Officer for Somerset Libraries, where he leads a wide range of technology, digital inclusion, and innovation projects that help connect communities with the opportunities of the digital world. With nearly ten years of service at Somerset Council and a background in theatre technology and education, Olly combines technical expertise with a passion for making technology accessible, practical, and beneficial for everyone.

Working across Somerset Libraries and the wider Council, Olly has developed and delivered projects including digital inclusion initiatives, iPad loaning schemes, 3D printing services, assistive technology demonstrations, AI training, digital learning programmes, and innovative partnerships with organisations across health, social care, and local government. He is a strong advocate for using emerging technologies to solve real-world challenges and improve outcomes for residents, staff, and communities.

Through his work, Olly helps bridge the gap between innovation and everyday public services, demonstrating how technologies such as artificial intelligence can enhance creativity, increase efficiency, and support more inclusive and connected communities.

Professor Nisreen Ameen is Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Policy at Henley Business School, University of Reading. She is an internationally recognised scholar and policy expert whose work focuses on AI skills, workforce transformation, responsible innovation, digital inclusion and the governance of emerging technologies. She has published extensively in leading international journals, and her work has involved collaboration with organisations across a range of sectors, including LinkedIn, Oracle, Amazon, Bloomberg and Roche. Her policy work includes collaboration with Skills England and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. She is also Ambassador for Research at the Institute of Directors.

Phillip Brough brings approximately 30 years of diverse IT experience to his role as a AI and Data Analytics Trainer. His rich background includes network support, data analytics, management, and lecturing at the university level. Phillip's expertise is underpinned by a comprehensive array of certifications from industry leaders such as CompTIA, Novell, Microsoft, Google, IBM, and Cisco.

He is proficient in a wide range of technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, SQL, Python, Java, Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, Google Looker, and IBM Watson Studio. At Activate Learning since June 2022, Phillip has been instrumental in developing data analytics courses, training senior leaders and consulting for a major car manufacturer- client of ours.

He is passionate about guiding learners through their data analytics journey, witnessing their skill development, and seeing the transformative ‘lightbulb moments’ as they unlock the power of data.

Brings over 10 years of work-based learning expertise to her role as Head of Delivery at Activate Learning’s Business School.

With experience across diverse industries including manufacturing, engineering and beyond, she understands current and emerging workforce needs. Kiki specialises in helping organisations assess skills gaps and design learning solutions that enhance performance and capability. Her collaborative approach supports individuals in reaching their potential whilst building cultures of continuous improvement.

She excels in using her combined interpersonal, communication and project management abilities to help organisations assess their skills gaps. Her tailored learning solutions are designed to enhance performance, ROI and organisational capability.

Jess Flack is Digital Capability and Infrastructure Manager at Essex County Council, where she leads Digital Essex's work tackling digital exclusion across the county - identifying the barriers preventing residents from getting online, from connectivity and affordability to skills and confidence, and developing partnerships to overcome them. She sits on the national Digital Inclusion Action Committee as Secretariat, working alongside representatives from central government, industry and the charity sector to help shape UK-wide digital inclusion policy. Jess is a regular speaker and contributor on digital inclusion, sharing practical, real-world approaches to closing the digital divide.

Tara Jussa is the Interim Digital Inclusion Lead at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, where she leads work to tackle digital exclusion and ensure residents can access the opportunities, services and support that increasingly exist online.  With more than 25 years' experience in community education, engagement and digital empowerment, she has championed digital inclusion as a key driver of equality, opportunity and wellbeing since the early 2000s.

Working across Liverpool City Region's six local authorities, Tara coordinates the Liverpool City Region Digital Inclusion Network and collaborates with partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors to address barriers around access, affordability, skills and confidence.  Her work focuses on helping residents develop the skills and support they need not only to access digital services, but to participate fully in society and their local communities.

Drawing on a background in community learning and engagement, Tara is a strong advocate for inclusive design and community-led approaches that build trust, amplify resident voices and ensure that technology empowers rather than excludes.  She is passionate about ensuring that digital transformation delivers meaningful benefits for everyone, particularly those most at risk of being left behind.

Richard Sandiford is Head of Governance and Monitoring Officer at the South Downs National Park Authority. With responsibility for governance, risk management, information governance, standards and statutory compliance, he helps ensure that innovation is supported by strong governance, effective risk management and public accountability, and advises Members and senior leaders on ethical and lawful decision-making. Passionate about helping organisations harness the opportunities of AI, Richard leads the development of AI guidance and policy within his organisation and brings a practical and balanced perspective on how public bodies can embrace AI safely, responsibly and in a way that maintains public trust.

Sarbjit empowers London boroughs to leverage technology, data, and innovation effectively by conducting research, gathering insights, sharing best practice and providing expert advice on digital, tech, and data-related issues, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence. Prior to joining LOTI, Sarbjit worked in technology companies of all sizes, the UK Government Digital Service, and the European Commission (DG Internal Market and Services).

Emma Escott is a Senior AI Delivery Manager in the Welsh Government’s Office for AI. Her work focuses on making responsible AI practical for the public sector, connecting governance, policy and delivery so that organisations can adopt AI with greater confidence and clarity. Alongside her colleague Isobel Bowen, Emma led the development and co-authored Wales’s National AI Governance Framework, shaped through extensive collaboration with stakeholders across the Welsh public sector and beyond.

Jo Johnston is an accomplished public sector leader with over two decades of experience driving reform, innovation and strategic business planning across local government and public services. Currently serving as Head of Reform & Innovation at Manchester City Council, Jo leads a cross-cutting programme of system-wide reform and the council’s transformation and service design functions, bringing together strategic change, service redesign and practical delivery to improve outcomes for residents and secure sustainable, cost-effective services. She also leads the council’s corporate planning process, embedding continuous improvement and ensuring services remain focused on delivering the city’s priorities.

Jo provides strategic leadership for Live Well Manchester, the city’s approach to making early support and prevention more joined-up, accessible and community-led, with equity and resident voice at the heart of neighbourhood service design and delivery. She also leads Manchester’s contribution to the Greater Manchester Prevention Demonstrator, helping to test, evidence and accelerate integrated, place-based prevention and translate learning into wider system reform.

Jo is passionate about equality and inclusion, having established three directorate equalities networks, was instrumental in the formation of the Corporate EDI Leadership Group and led the council’s EDI Team during the transition and integration with the NHS partners.  Jo’s personal commitment ensures that inclusion is intrinsic to the reform, transformation and planning work she leads.

Previously, Jo held senior roles within Manchester City Council, including Directorate Lead for Neighbourhoods and Growth and Development where she has led strategic business planning, budget management, internal communications, and business support across the two diverse directorates.  In her role as Principal Policy Officer Jo was instrumental in managing Manchester’s international relations, including the successful state visit by President Xi Jinping.

Jo’s earlier career includes leadership in cultural policy and investment, voluntary sector partnerships, and crime reduction strategy development with GMPTE (now TfGM). Her governance experience is extensive, serving as a Magistrate and Presiding Justice, and as Vice Chair and Chair of Finance at Manchester Hospital School, where she helped secure a more sustainable financial future.

Jo holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Service Leadership from Lancaster University and a BSc in Psychology from the University of Warwick. She is known for her collaborative, inclusive, and outcome-focused approach, and brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and public service reform.

Linked in link: linkedin.com/in/jo-johnston-55146024

Justin heads the Net Zero Ministerial Briefing and Fiscal Events Team at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. His responsibilities include fiscal events, ministerial briefing and engagement, business management and corporate planning. He leads work across government to deliver the Net Zero Strategy, Powering Up Britain, carbon budgets and the UK’s net zero target. As a School Outreach Programme trainer and presenter, Justin has spoken at more than 200 schools, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to consider applying for Civil Service careers. He also co-chairs the Civil Service Race Forum and FAME Network and serves as a governor at two schools.

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith was first elected as a local councillor representing the ward she lives in, Cadishead & Lower Irlam, in 2021. Since 2022, Hannah has also held a position of leadership in the City Mayor’s Cabinet, and is currently Lead Member holding the portfolio for Culture, Heritage, Sports & Leisure.

Hannah Chairs Salford’s Centenary Programme, leading civic, community, and cultural celebrations for the city’s 100th birthday.

Hannah is also Chair of Salford’s Culture & Place Partnership, Heritage Commission, Move More Board, and Twinning Association; and she holds Board Director positions at We Invented the Weekend Festival and Lowry. She also represents Salford at GMCA’s Culture & Social Impact and Statutory Functions Committees.

Hannah’s day job is as Chief Executive Officer at Everyday, a grassroots community and participatory arts organisation in Wigan. She also holds place-based strategic roles on Wigan Borough’s cultural and creative partnership boards.