The GovTech Summit 2025: Driving Innovation in Public Services
Central Hall Westminster played host to the highly anticipated GovTech Summit 2025 on Wednesday 19 March 2025, a premier event bringing together government innovators, tech entrepreneurs, and policy leaders to explore the future of digital public services. Organised by Founders Forum Group and PUBLIC, the summit served as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive technological advancements in government.
With over 200 senior decision-makers in attendance, the event featured an array of panel discussions, fireside chats, and roundtable sessions, addressing key themes such as AI adoption, procurement reform, and the role of startups in government innovation.
High-Profile Speakers and Key Discussions
The summit featured a distinguished line-up of speakers, including:
The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Georgia Gould MP, Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Imran Shafi OBE, Director of AI Policy, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Husayn Kassai, Co-Founder, Onfido / Quench.ai
Ilyas Khan, Founder, Quantinuum
Sebastian Weidt, Co-Founder & CEO, Universal Quantum
Christine Bellamy, Government Chief Product Officer, Government Digital Service
Each speaker provided unique insights into the evolving landscape of digital governance. Discussions ranged from the practical implementation of AI in government services to rethinking procurement strategies and fostering international collaboration in the GovTech space.
Key Themes and Insights
A major focus of the summit was on adopting AI in government, moving from theoretical discussions to actionable strategies. Experts examined the challenges and opportunities in integrating AI-driven solutions into public services while ensuring ethical considerations and transparency.
Another significant theme was rethinking public procurement, with calls for more flexible and efficient ways to purchase and implement technology. Attendees explored innovative approaches to procurement that could enable governments to work more seamlessly with startups, SMEs and scale-ups.
Additionally, discussions highlighted the importance of scaling local innovation, advocating for the creation of digital excellence networks that would facilitate knowledge-sharing and drive regional innovation in public services.
Bridging the Gap Between Startups and Government
The event also underscored the potential of startup-government collaborations, exploring new partnership models that could accelerate GovTech solutions. With the UK positioning itself as a global leader in technology, the summit emphasised the need for fostering breakthrough innovations and ensuring that cutting-edge technologies are effectively integrated into the public sector.
The Organisers: PUBLIC & Founders Forum Group
The GovTech Summit 2025 was powered by PUBLIC and Founders Forum Group, two organisations dedicated to bridging the gap between government and technology. PUBLIC continues to drive digital transformation in the public sector, while Founders Forum Group supports entrepreneurs and industry leaders in shaping the future of innovation.
Looking Ahead
As governments worldwide strive to modernise public services, the GovTech Summit 2025 reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to leading the charge in digital transformation. With AI, procurement reform, and tech-driven public service models at the forefront, the summit provided a crucial forum for shaping the future of governance in an increasingly digital world.
The key takeaway? Collaboration remains the cornerstone of innovation - ensuring that policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors continue working together to build a smarter, more efficient government for the future.
