Preparing for What's Next: Insights from DigiGov Expo 2026
From SME engagement and cyber skills development to AI, cyber resilience and local government transformation, Annie Amatt and Viv McCormick share their key takeaways from DigiGov Expo 2026 and the themes shaping the future of public services.
Vivienne McCormick, PSR Procurement Services Client Partnering Director and I recently attended DigiGov Expo 2026, joining public sector leaders, technology providers and industry partners to discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of government services.
While much of our time was spent meeting with customers and suppliers, several themes stood out throughout the day.
Creating More Opportunities for SMEs
One of the most encouraging discussions came from the Government Commercial Agency (GCA), which outlined its ongoing efforts to increase SME participation in government technology services. The focus on making opportunities more accessible through central digital platforms demonstrates a clear commitment to broadening supplier participation and encouraging innovation from across the market.
Strengthening Cyber Skills Across Government
Cyber security was a recurring theme throughout the event. We were particularly interested to learn more about the Government Cyber Profession and the work being undertaken to create clearer career pathways for cyber specialists across government. As demand for cyber expertise continues to grow, investment in talent, skills and professional development will be critical to building long-term resilience.
Taking a Bold Approach to Transformation
We also heard an insightful case study from Blaby District Council, which shared its experience of delivering significant IT infrastructure change. Their willingness to take a bold and ambitious approach to transformation was a powerful reminder that meaningful change often requires organisations to challenge traditional ways of working.
AI Dominates the Conversation, but Cyber Remains a Priority
It was no surprise that AI featured heavily throughout the agenda, with discussions ranging from innovation and productivity to governance and practical implementation. However, alongside AI, cyber resilience emerged as one of the most important topics of the day.
A message we heard repeatedly was that organisations shouldn’t only focus on preventing cyber incidents, they must also prepare for recovery. Having robust plans, processes and capabilities in place before an attack occurs is now considered just as important as the preventative measures themselves.
A Common Theme: Preparedness
Whether the discussion centred on AI, cyber security, workforce capability or digital transformation, a common thread ran through every conversation: organisations must be prepared for what’s next.
For us, DigiGov Expo reinforced the importance of collaboration between government, suppliers and delivery partners to ensure the public sector can continue to adapt, innovate and build resilient services for the future.
