What does ‘going digital’ mean for the public sector?
Earlier this month, OpenAI and the UK Government announced a new strategic partnership to explore how generative AI can enhance public service delivery. From policy drafting to citizen communication, the potential is huge. But so are the risks.
A recent YouGov poll found that only 1 in 5 people trust government departments to use AI responsibly. That highlights a key challenge: balancing innovation with transparency, ethics, and public confidence.
Meanwhile, public services across the UK are under pressure from all sides:
In this month's issue of our newsletter, we’re diving into how people and technology are shaping the future of government services, and the role FDM is playing in that transformation.
So, what does a future-ready public sector look like?
For Oliver Hester, Head of Public Sector Services at FDM and member of the Skills and Diversity Council at techUK , real digital transformation starts with the people behind the tech.
To deliver effective, lasting change, we need to:
✔️ Close the digital skills gap. Upskilling current staff and bringing in new talent is essential to improve efficiency and keep up with evolving technology.
✔️ Build a data-driven, agile culture. Public sector teams need to be flexible, able to switch projects, adapt to new tools quickly, and continuously improve how they deliver services.
✔️ Develop the right mindset. New tech can be rolled out fast, but without the right mindset and proper change management, it can’t be used to its full potential.
Where does FDM come in?
Public services need guidance in rapid but responsible adoption of digital technologies like AI, automation, and cloud computing to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. Advanced cybersecurity training is critical here, too, to protect sensitive data in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
But there's a bigger challenge at play: a growing mismatch between available talent and the roles that need filling. The UK has huge potential in its workforce, but outdated hiring models and a reliance on traditional credentials are holding innovation back.
FDM helps bridge that gap by training returners, ex-forces, graduates, and career changers to step into critical public sector roles. Our consultants are trained in areas like:
They’re technically capable, adaptable, and ready to support service delivery from day one.
🎙️ One of our talented alumni, Isabel Worley, shared her remarkable journey from training in the FDM Skills Lab to working as a Data Analyst for one of our clients in the public sector.
Let’s talk about what’s next
We’ve been part of important conversations around the future of public sector work. Most recently, we joined leading voices in business and tech at the UK House of Lords to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace and what an ageing workforce means for long-term resource planning.
We shared our perspective on the need for a united AI strategy and why building an inclusive, multigenerational workforce is now more important than ever. James Tuttiett , Sales Director UK & EMEA at FDM, commented:
“There’s a lack of a united vision and strategy across all industries when it comes to AI. We’re seeing that most organisations are still in the experimental phase, testing the ways that AI can influence and improve their business functions while driving greater efficiency. Whilst there is not a one size fits all approach being adapted, what is clear is that the integration of AI is immanent and creating an AI-literate workforce for the future is vital.
We take insights like these straight into our work, helping government departments adopt new technologies, close skills gaps, and build teams that are ready for the future.
If your organisation is looking to modernise, let’s chat.
We can help you build the talent and capabilities you need to deliver smarter, more resilient public services.
We’re FDM, an award-winning global business and technology consultancy. For over 30 years we’ve been powering the people behind tech and innovation. We collaborate with world-leading companies to identify the expertise they need, exactly when they need it. We have helped successfully launch nearly 25,000 careers globally and are a trusted partner to over 300 companies worldwide.