The new playbook for public sector digital leaders

Join an expert panel to hear how AI is rewriting the digital leadership playbook
Tuesday 7th July
 09:00am-11:00am
  Location - Royal Society of Chemistry, Science Room

AI is changing everything, and for digital leaders the playbook has shifted more in the past six months than in the previous five years.

For public sector digital leaders, this creates both urgent challenges and significant opportunities: the traditional path into software engineering is being redrawn. Leaders face hard questions about what capabilities they actually need to cultivate in-house, for all staff and for specialists.

AI is revolutionising the software development lifecycle, not just how software is built, but who builds it, what skills they need, and where the value of human expertise now lies.

We will also explore how far the build vs. buy debate been turned on its head with AI lowering the barriers to bespoke development. How does this impact on the SaaS marketplace and what new opportunities do digital leaders have to overhaul legacy systems with internally built bespoke solutions?

Over breakfast, you will hear from peers and experts in editorially curated discussions on a wide range of subjects, including:

  • Understand what your organisation needs in order to adopt AI and AI-driven software development

  • The opportunity AI-driven software development offers the public sector

  • Build not buy - has the debate been turned on its head again?

  • What skills and tools do all workers now need and how do we nurture the next generation of engineers?

  • How to skill and motivate technology teams to be at the forefront of the AI agenda

  • Understanding token costs and how to manage them 

REGISTER NOW

Meet our panelists

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Mark

Chillingworth

Panel Facilitator

Editor & Founder of the Horizon Digital Leadership Network. 

Mark is a digital leadership writer, editor, and founder of the Horizon Digital Leadership Network, with nearly two decades of experience covering CIOs and CTOs. He spent eight years as Editor in Chief of CIO UK before moving into independent writing and moderating for leading publications including Diginomica and the Financial Times. Mark will be the facilitator at our event.
 

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Jamie

Bartlett

Author of How To Talk to AI

Jamie has been a full-time freelance author published by Penguin Random House since 2014 , building a reputation as one of the UK's leading voices on technology and society. His most recent book, published in 2026, is How to Talk to AI (and How Not To), a Sunday Times bestseller in which he explores how people communicate with AI systems, how to use them effectively, and the risks of getting it wrong.

We'll have copies of Jamie's book available for attendees!

 

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Karl Hoods

CBE

Group CDIO, Dept of Science & Technology & Dept of Energy Security and Net Zero

Karl is a multi-award-winning CBE with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale digital, data, and technology transformations across complex, regulated, and global organisations. With a strong track record of turning data into insight and embedding AI at scale, he specialises in fixing underperforming technology estates, modernising legacy systems, and creating clarity where there is ambiguity.
 

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Stuart

Harris

Chief Scientist and Founder, Red Badger


Stuart brings over 25 years of software development experience, with a strong philosophy of letting solutions drive technology,  rather than the other way around. His deep technical roots have shaped a technology-agnostic approach that allows him to deliver robust, high-quality applications for some of the world's most demanding clients.

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Avril Chester

Former CTO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society 

Avril brings over 15 years of award-winning experience at the intersection of technology, strategy, and human purpose. Recognised as the 12th Most Influential Woman in UK Tech by Computer Weekly (2025) and named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in IT Awards, she is a Board-Level Influential Technologist championing the principle of leading with humanity in an AI world.

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Tom Kelly

Director of Software Engineering, UK Parliament

Tom brings over 13 years of progressive experience at the intersection of software engineering and public sector technology. Currently serving as Director of Software Engineering at the UK Parliament's Parliamentary Digital Service, he has built his career from the ground up — progressing through roles as Programmer Analyst, Software Engineer, Principal Developer, and Head of Software Development before stepping into directorship. 

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Dominic Hilleard

Founder, Talent Leaders

 
Dominic brings over 25 years of award-winning experience connecting organisations with exceptional leadership, technology, and digital talent. With a deep commitment to inclusive hiring, he champions neurodiversity as a Business Ambassador for Ambitious About Autism and a former Strategic Advisor for Neurodiversity in Business.


Modernise services. Empower teams. Multiply impact.

 

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