How to launch a service across local government

Session type:

Talk

Presented by:

Martyn Evans

Unboxed

Laura Smith

Unboxed

Session time:

19 Sep 12:15 — 13:00

Session duration:

45 minutes

About the session

Local government is stuck with software tools that haven’t changed significantly since the 90s.

This session explores service designers' role in helping achieve lasting and scaled impact across multiple local councils.

Drawing on our experiences with both central government and local government initiatives we’ll discuss the issues of funding, time and knowledge on launching and sustaining new solutions. We’ll share strategies for the future, helping empower change makers to deliver impact.

Participant takeaways:

Insights and passion for the role of service designers in creating scaled impact across local government
An understanding of the landscape of innovation in digital service delivery at local councils, what the barriers are and what has been attempted to overcome them
Insights from citizens and council staff as to the impact of a broken market for new digital tools
A behind-the-scenes look at approaches to promote and scale services for local government, looking at the good, the bad and the ugly of what we’ve experienced
A set of strategies for bridging the gap between innovative ideas and adoptable and scalable tools

Themes:

Design, Enterprise, Procurement, Product, Commercial, Local government, Service design, Innovation, Impact

About the speaker(s)

Martyn Evans

Martyn has a degree in creative arts, he spent the first five years of his career in the publishing industry where he gained an understanding of how software could not only improve products and services, but also the experience of the people delivering them.

He spent the next seven years as a freelance software developer, building back-office and public-facing systems across several industries, including publishing, travel, and the emerging e-commerce sector, before establishing Sumac - a software development business.

At Sumac, Martyn spent eight years learning more about the relationship between design, technology, and business, working with diverse organisations from start-ups to multinational corporations.

In 2013 he joined Unboxed as Head of Product and began the process of establishing a truly integrated design and technology business, built on the principles of user-centred design and agile delivery, becoming a Director in 2019.

Over the years Martyn has accumulated two Masters degrees, one in Photographic Studies and the other more recently in Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Pronouns: He / Him

Laura Smith

Laura has 10 years working as a designer with a focus on content.

Her particular experience is in digital healthcare, GOV.UK Design System and style guide. She has service design experience in healthcare, central and local government. She has helped shape B2B and B2C value propositions in the private sector wellbeing and health startups and electric vehicle charging.

She has UX and UI development experience for global social enterprise apps.

Before all that Laura had 10 years in programme design and delivery in the social sector, including social investment accelerators and award-winning incubators for young social entrepreneurs.

Pronouns: She/Her