Reframing the Role of Consultancies in Government: A Path to Digital Excellence
The problem statement The public sector stands at a crossroads, where the continuous outflow of talent and the struggle to retain it poses a significant challenge. As Marianna Mazzucato's "The Big Con" compellingly outlines, governments have often shied away from risk due to fear of failure, which has led to a reduction in investment in their own capabilities. This hesitancy to invest has hindered the ability of public institutions to build and maintain the essential skills required for effective governance and service delivery. There’s an undeniable need to reimagine the consultancy's role in supporting government beyond just providing temporary solutions to one of empowering and building lasting institutional capacity.
The key opportunity Amidst the critique lies an opportunity for transformation. Contrary to some perceptions, the public sector brims with innovative technological initiatives. If we do things differently we can create exciting opportunities for young people, energised by meaningful work, and turn the tide from brain drain to "brain gain". However, this change requires a thorough reassessment of the existing consultancy approach. There must be a deliberate effort to recalibrate the existing consultancy model — moving from a dependency-creating paradigm to one that builds internal capabilities and encourages a sense of ownership and pride among civil servants.
Our unified approach In public service, the partnership between esynergy and Founders and Coders is potentially opening a new chapter in how technology solutions are delivered to the British Government. Our joint model sees Founders and Coders apprentices embedded into esynergy’s teams of highly experienced, government SMEs, together leaving a potential legacy of well-trained software personnel capable of maintaining systems delivered by external partners. These apprentices, employed by Founders and Coders will become embedded in the Civil Service and can transition to substantive Civil Service roles on completion of their apprenticeships.
We are excited about this fresh approach and are committed to delivering technology solutions that are strong, forward-looking, and deeply connected to what the government aims to achieve. We’re committed to empowering public agencies by enhancing their teams with top talent and the latest technology, to really make a difference in public service.
Our shared vision of empowering public bodies through supporting and empowering their top-tier talent, and deploying cutting edge technology in ways that maximise the delivery of public value in its broadest sense.
The essence of our approach is rooted in these key areas:
By integrating these principles into our partnership, we are not just filling positions but are actively contributing to a more robust, skilled, and motivated public sector workforce. Our graduates become the standard-bearers of a new era in public service—one that values innovation, efficiency, and, most importantly, service to the community.
Our vision and ask of the government In our pursuit to foster exemplary practices in government, we advocate for a model that ensures longevity and efficacy. Our collective vision invites the government to:
We also implore a thoughtful consideration and validation of this framework. Are civil servants receptive to such a consultancy model that promotes support over substitution? Does this approach genuinely enrich the value they provide? By verifying these queries, we can affirm the integrity and efficacy of our proposed path.
Envisioning the Future The ambition we share with the public sector is not merely to advise but to co-create a narrative where public service and digital innovation are inextricably linked. It is within this collaborative space that the government transforms from a mere client to an active participant in crafting value for society.
As we venture forth, let us not forget the power of storytelling and recognition. Highlighting the achievements of civil servants and their projects not only boosts morale but also serves as a beacon for others. Celebrating success within the public sector is essential in attracting and nurturing the next generation of talent, eager to contribute to a digitally progressive society.
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Our aim is not simply to alter the status quo but to ignite a dialogue that champions a vibrant, effective public sector, propelled by technology and driven by a shared ethos of public service. We are committed to this journey, steadfast in our belief that together, we can script a future that reflects the true potential of government in the digital age.
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.
Austin Earl
Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.