Heather Cover-Kus, head of central government at techUK, introduces the Central Government Council (VGV) - the voice of the tech industry to government. As 2025 kicks off with major public sector digital strategies, the CGC is set to drive collaboration, advocate for SMEs, and shape the future of government technology
2025 has started with a bang for public sector technology. There have been a vast number of plans, strategies and reports coming out of government about public sector technology. Since January we have seen the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the State of Digital Government Review and Blueprint for Modern Digital Government as well as the launch of the Centre for Digital Government. These developments all seem to signal a recognition of the critical importance of technology in delivering high quality public services. Furthermore, these documents all recognise the significant role of the tech supplier community in making these plans a reality.
Introducing the Central Government Council
As the premier technology trade association in the country, techUK brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. We create a network for innovation and collaboration across business, government and stakeholders to provide a better future for people, society, the economy and the planet. Vital to this collaboration with government and public sector stakeholders is our Central Government Council (CGC) – a group of techUK members elected by the wider membership to represent the technology supplier community to government. This diverse group reflects different types of tech companies, working in different parts of public sector across the country.
The Council aims to lead the debate on new technologies, optimise the use of existing capabilities and engage with departments and the centre. It also works to set the strategic direction of techUK’s Central Government Programme, reflecting techUK member priorities and providing a means for the public sector to engage with industry.
Henry Rex, CGC vice-chair, Opencast said: “I’m so excited by the potential of the Council to work across Government to meet the ambitions set out in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government. Given the pace of technological change, it’s so important the industry works with Government to drive the adoption of cutting edge tech and improve Government’s access to the capabilities of the whole market, from start-ups, to scale ups, to multi-nationals.’ And citizens, Government, and UK Plc will all feel the benefit.”
Raising the SME voice
The Council is comprised of 24 members and half of the spaces are reserved for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The group works hard to raise the voice of SME suppliers in the public sector tech space.
CGC SME vice-chair, Abigail Wyndham, Stellarmann added: “This week, a government department reported a 20 per cent reduction in SME supplier spending for the last fiscal year. Given this worrying statistic, it is increasingly important now that the Council works in partnership with central government’s Commercial and Tech Leadership to advise and demonstrate how to work with SMEs to create a modern digital government and improve public services. We aim to help drive and support the government’s pledge of ‘£1 in every 3 spent’ promise. We will support our SME members and help them navigate the challenging routes to becoming successful government suppliers.”
Priorities and plans
In December 2024, a new group of members were elected to serve a two-year term on the Council. This cohort will continue the previous Council’s focus on procurement, market engagement, and digital transformation. However, the work takes place in the context of a new advancements in technology, a different government administration and fresh priorities.
CGC Chair, Giles Hartwright, IBM commented: “The Council is passionate about making a tangible difference in how government engages with technology. We want to prioritise influencing the adoption, implementation, and scaling of technology – in particular AI, Automation, Data and legacy infrastructure modernisation. We aim to leverage the council’s collective experience to ensure government maximises the potential of these.
Our goal is to strengthen techUK’s voice, enhance members’ engagement with government, and create a platform for driving transformative change in public sector technology”.
This enthusiastic group of techUK members is poised to capitalise on the momentum of the government’s positive approach to public sector technology and support the delivery of digitally enabled effective public services.
