Optimism for a brighter future: our latest research
Guest blog: Ismail Amla, Chief Growth Officer, Capita as part of our #DigitalPlace week.
Disruption is by its very nature unanticipated and dramatic – forcing us to innovate, to try new approaches.
Historically events like major wars, significant economic depressions or a seismic political change have been sources of immense reinvention. The long bow, the telephone, the welfare state, the NHS, slum clearance, the United Nations, the Marshall Plan, all arose from an event that forced us to find a new approach out of sheer necessity.
The disruption we have experienced over the last year is unprecedented within most modern lifetimes. It’s been challenging and for many exhausting. And we’re still in the eye of the storm. For many the economic and social scars will need time to heal before a sense of optimism returns. However, the resilience, adaptability and creativity that individuals, organisations and industries have displayed over the past 12 months demonstrates what is possible when we’re forced into a corner. It’s been inspiring and represents a great opportunity to reimagine and rebuild.
As part of a new research project, conducted together with leading market-research firm YouGov, we surveyed over 350 senior decision-makers across three industry groupings – government, financial services and critical infrastructure(1) – to establish the impact the events of 2020 had on them personally, on their organisations and for the industries they work in, and to understand their outlook for the year ahead as many of us plan for the post-pandemic rebuild. We will take this ‘pulse’ once a quarter throughout 2021 and report on the shifts in sentiment and the implications. This first pulse focused on the last 12 months and the look ahead.
In summary, those we surveyed held an unsurprisingly negative view of 2020. There was acknowledgement that this has been a period of immense change, faster than many anticipated, and that we are not out of the woods yet. Many voiced the view that they expect more volatility ahead in 2021, and beyond, as the journey towards recovery unfolds.
From an organisational perspective, private and public sector bodies experienced huge disruption, driven in particular by changes to work locations and patterns. Whilst not everyone moved to a ‘home office’ environment (for instance many workers remained in the field and on the front line) the disruption to ‘normal’ working habits was severe.
On a positive note, there was acknowledgement that, for many, change was actually embraced and that, despite the circumstances, for some productivity was not felt to have suffered. In a minority of cases, it was even felt to have improved. On the whole respondents believed that their industries had responded well to the myriad of challenges the pandemic threw at them, and that they were able to make changes much quicker than anticipated.
There were signs that greater collaboration, more innovation and faster adoption of technologies were points of positive progress. If nurtured, these could all be factors contributing to better outcomes for business and society as we emerge from the pandemic. Crisis events throughout history have frequently resulted in strategic inflections. It’s at these points organisations must make difficult choices regarding the future they will choose, and the capabilities they require for the journey. Focusing on what will be enduring shifts in behaviour for the next decade and beyond will be key to unlocking competitive advantage.
Overall as we reflected on the results of this ‘pulse’ it was clear that the last 12 months have been tough, and that the next 12 months will require equal, if not greater, levels of resilience and perseverance. However, we should reflect on the huge accomplishments of so many, whether that be the individuals who have had to juggle competing priorities at home, the organisations that have dispelled myths about what is possible to achieve and the industries that are responding to years’ worth of transformation in weeks and months.
There are signs of recovery, both in the sentiment expressed, and in the wider socio-economic environment. The levels of determination, persistence and ingenuity shown during this most difficult of periods gives us hope and optimism for a brighter future.
Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services
Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.
Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.
If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
Alison Young is the Associate Director Local Public Services.
Alison has background in International Trade & Investment, with experience in the public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets, inward investment and working closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation and partnerships and technology. Prior to joining techUK, she has her own consulting business and was Head of Global Investment with the Connected Places Catapult. This role had a focus on FDI around the built environment and mobility, working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group, to foster and network of knowledge sharing and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network, to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment.
She spent six years living and working in the Middle East, with the Department for Business and Trade. Based first in Oman, leading on a number of sectors, from Education to Infrastructure, then based in the UAE, setting up the Technology and Smart Cities sector, with a core focus on AI and Fintech.
She is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities; the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies MA, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.