Public and private sector collaboration can deliver the UK innovation agenda

Cyber attacks and system security breaches in big corporations are increasingly common in the UK – and this is why a UK innovation agenda overhaul has never been more needed

Cyber attacks and system security breaches in big corporations are increasingly common. One example is Royal Mail, recently forced to halt its international export services due to a serious disruption following a cyber incident. From the theft of corporate data to loss of economic capital to damaged credibility with customers, the risks of falling afoul of a cyber attack – or incident – are many.

What is the biggest challenge the industry and public sector organisations face?

Industry and public sector organisations are increasingly grappling with the question: “how can we find and implement solutions to these problems?” The answer lies in collaboration, which can uncover an innovation agenda capable of addressing the challenge. For example, this reinforces the reason the first pillar of the National Cyber Strategy is focused on ecosystems and building partnerships.

Speaking at Plexal Stratford for his first major domestic address to the nation this year – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the Government needs to put its innovation agenda at the heart of everything it does.

He highlighted some current economic and social challenges facing the nation, including the cost-of-living crisis and general inefficiency of our public health system, positioning an innovation agenda as the answer. “We need to change the way our country works,” Sunak said. “That requires a change in mindset. What does that mean in practice? It means a more innovative economy.”

Throughout this speech, the Prime Minister seemingly validated the views of tech experts nationwide, who have long campaigned for a progressive and efficient economy based on innovation and technological advancement. It’s fair to say with the challenges we face as a nation, we must adapt accordingly, and that requires fresh thinking.

A progressive and efficient economy based on innovation and technological advancement

Doubling down on this government innovation mission, the outcome has been the creation of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This is a prime example of how we, as leaders, must collectively look hard at the structures of our organisations and fundamentally reinvent them around the changing needs of the country.

There really is no better time than now to take advantage of the innovation and expertise we’ve seen rapidly growing and developing across our tech and startup ecosystem over the last decade. But while embracing an innovation strategy is the first step, the changes we wish to see also rely heavily on collaboration – two central principles of our work at Plexal.

At a time when public spending is marked by austerity, the government can benefit from collaborating with the UK’s startup sector to develop efficient ideas and solutions that will radically propel us forward.

Reducing pressure on the public sector whilst improving capacity

We at Plexal understand the importance of closing the gap between the government and the private sector and reducing the strains on our public sector while increasing its overall capability.

For example, through our ongoing collaboration with Amazon Web Services Healthcare Accelerator, we’ll provide training and support to startups developing innovative solutions to alleviate the strains on the NHS and create a positive impact on our healthcare system.
By partnering with startups in different industries and embracing their use of technology and innovative solutions, the government can ensure our entire public sector is transformed. Innovators require support, time and space to join the conversation and offer solutions, and the government can provide this. Clearly, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is an excellent step forward in the right direction.

Commenting on the department’s potential, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “Science and technology have the potential to change our world beyond recognition and improve all our lives. A brand new and dedicated department for Science, Innovation and Technology is key to the Government’s plan to grow the economy – generating better, well-paid jobs and driving improvements in health, education and transportation.”

The UK innovation agenda will transform, but it requires a tangible plan

Innovation has transformative effects, but sustainable change requires a tangible plan. This is a key insight we have learned through our experience working with UK’s technology innovators and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Our vision here is to make the UK the safest place to live and work online, but having a clear goal is not enough. For this reason, we offer a three-month or a 12-month intensive programme for cyber innovators to unleash their extraordinary capabilities towards creating a prosperous digital UK.

And from the Prime Minister’s speech to the birth of DSIT, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently kept the innovation conversation moving at Plexal Stratford during Treasury Connect. Referring to Britain’s various “incredible strengths”, from manufacturing to creativity to life sciences, he noted how these elements can “turn us into being a science and innovation superpower and the world’s next Silicon Valley”.

Evidently, the government believes we have the right tools for success at our disposal. The sentiment is there. Now we just need to keep creating collaborative opportunities for the public sector to work with startups, helping them to develop solutions and solve challenges that are mission-critical to society and our economy.

Andrew Roughan is the CEO of the innovation company Plexal