A guide to GovTech resources
Written by Lilian SmitThe GovTech market is now worth more than £1.2bn per annum. The widespread digital transformation of the sector during the pandemic means this is only likely to rise.
Whether you’re a supplier looking for advice on how to sell into the sector, interested in the growth of the market, or working in local government and looking for more detail on the right services for your organisation, there are a wide range of resources available if you’re looking for further information.
As a starting point here is a list of some great publications, membership organisations, podcasts and analysts to follow. If you would like any advice on reaching any of these outlets with your content or news, get in touch.
Membership organisations
Socitm is the professional network for leaders engaged in the innovation and modernisation of public services. Socitm’s breadth and depth of membership gives it a strong and credible voice in influencing public services policy in areas driven by digital technology, data and information. It has a widely regarded reports and insight service which regularly publishes research on the sector.
LGA, a national membership association for local government, covers sector issues more broadly, but as an organisation they offer plenty of tech focused research and digital transformation case studies, as well as an E-Bulletin that anyone can sign up to.
Solace is a dedicated network for local government and public sector professionals throughout the UK. They offer a diverse range of virtual and in-person events including webinars, skills training days and regional events for both members and non-members. They also run a blog flagging important industry reports.
Another membership organisation that’s more broadly focused on tech, but with a fantastic selection of public sector insight. In fact, it’s running Think. Data for Government, an event on data in the public sector this March, with speakers from ONS and the Home Office.
Digital Leaders is a shared professional online space and face-to-face programme, for leaders across all sectors promoting effective, long-term digital transformation. Although it has a wider sector reach it does have a strong public sector focus and dedicated government audience. It published thought leadership and offers a wide range of events on digital transformation.
The Institute of Government and Public Policy is a network that presents a wide range of live, physical and online events, conferences, and training courses for the UK’s central and local government authorities. There is also scope to join as a vendor through its Supplier Zone initiative.
LGIU – Local Government Information Unit
The Local Government Information Unit is a local government membership body, thinktank and registered charity. It has sections on Intelligence which covers issues across the public sector, as well as a tech section. Some content is gated for members only, but there is also plenty of free to view content on its website.
Research and intelligence resources
First and foremost, Tussell is a vendor providing a range of data tools to help the public sector as well as tech suppliers selling to them understand the market. But it’s also a great resource for free reports offering public sector analysis, it also publishes annually its Top 200, a list of the best government tech performers.
Working at the intersection of policy and digital technologies, StateUp provides policy advice and programme design, insights, training and evaluations to help organisations improve citizens’ lives. Its client range includes governments, start-ups and SMEs, and international organisations, and it releases an annual GovTech report offering data driven analysis of the start-up market.
The Institute for Government is the leading think tank working to make government more effective. Although its focus is primarily on influencing policy, it does produce guidance on outsourcing and procurement on its website.
This organisation serves public and voluntary sector communities through hubs that provide events, training courses, resources and insights. Its aim is to facilitate growth, development, innovation and efficiency in the implementation of public policy and delivery of public services.
techUK is the trade association which brings together people, companies, and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve, creating a network for innovation and collaboration across the public and private sector. It hosts a comprehensive and diverse calendar of events, which can be found on its website.
An analyst house that provides unique data, expert analysis & innovative solutions to companies in the world’s largest industries. Again, its cross sector, but it has both public sector and tech specific sections.
If it’s advice on public sector frameworks you’re looking for AdviceCloud offers consultancy on G- and government procurement. It works with suppliers and buyers of cloud technology and services. This is a paid service, but the website offers some great insight as well as reports and guides on selling into the public sector.
Government Digital Services (GDS) is a government led initiative that build platforms, products and services that help create a simple, joined-up and personalised experience of government for everyone. It does this through GOV.UK, Digital Identity and Government as a Platform to help people interact with government, and support government to operate more effectively and efficiently. build and support common platforms, services, components and tools. It also provides Digital, Data and Technology experts to support government transformation. Its website has a wealth of information on finding and supporting GovTech, as well as advice led blogs.
An influential analyst and advisory firm focused on the UK tech market. A trusted advisor to tech suppliers – from global market leaders to innovative start-ups – and to tech users, including large swathes of UK government. It also has a UK Hot Views section which offers important tech industry news updates.
New Local is an independent think tank with a mission to unlock community power, strengthen public services and help renew local government. Technology permeates a lot of the blog content and research they produce, particularly digital transformation.
Publications
With longstanding and respected public sector journalist Mark Say at the helm UKAuthority explores and showcases best practice and innovation in the use of technology, digital and data for the delivery of modern public services that meet both the needs of the public sector and the citizens they serve. Literally putting the IT in Local Authority.
It is perhaps one of the most widely known tech or IT publications, with arguably the largest readership amongst its competitors. Computer Weekly also has a dedicated public sector section where it includes deep dives into key news stories, as well as GovTech case studies.
Diginomica is another publication which covers wider areas of tech, but with a dedicated government IT section. Here you’ll find honest breakdowns of government digital services and in-depth features. It’s also worth following its government specialist Derek du Preez on Twitter.
PublicTechnology is the UK’s leading source of breaking news and analysis for digital, data, and IT professionals throughout the public sector. Covering everything from the intricacies of central government digital strategy, through to the realities of how technology is changing the provision of front-line public services its site provides daily news updates, as well as in-depth analysis, features, comment, and major interviews with the leaders who are shaping the UK public sector’s digital future.
LocalGov, is perhaps the most well-known dedicated local government news website amongst sector employees. The website is updated every day with breaking news and analysis, providing the sector with the latest developments and stories, with digital transformation a frequent topic of conversation. It also has a free daily e-bulletin that can be signed up to through the website.
Podcasts
A podcast of real conversations with awesome people doing interesting stuff in government and the public sector.”
Brings together a wide range of professionals to talk about themes and topics impacting UK local government and public services.
The BotCast from We Build Bots
Not currently running but an absolute goldmine of public sector digital transformation stories straight from the public sector leaders themselves – expect strategy, insights and challenges.
