The London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) and IT industry association techUK have launched an initiative to strengthen the links between the capital’s boroughs and digital technology suppliers.
They have formed a strategic partnership to bring representatives of LOTI’s member boroughs together with companies in early market engagement sessions to explore the outcomes that councils want to achieve and understand what tools and services can make it possible.
It will also involve the provision of networking opportunities and encouraging the exchange of ideas and good practice.
The partnership will focus on the priority issues of digital inclusion, social care and using data and tech to develop smart city environments.
Director of LOTI Eddie Copeland identified the key aims as stimulating industry engagement and increasing opportunities for SMEs, creating a common understanding of goals and priorities, furthering the transformation of local public services and sharing best practice.
Testing approaches
“In keeping with LOTI’s philosophy of trial and improvement, and working in the open, we’ll try a few different approaches to see where we can create mutually beneficial experiences for members of both organisations,” he said. “We’ll share what we learn in the process.”
Georgina Maratheftis, associate director for local public services at techUK, said: “techUK is delighted to launch a partnership with LOTI to foster greater collaboration between London boroughs and industry.
“To innovate and solve some of the biggest challenges councils face, we need to collaborate across both the public sector and the supplier base. It is only by convening our two communities can we make a real impact to transform outcomes for people and places and help create an innovative marketplace.”
“I’m excited about what this partnership can bring. It’s an opportunity to showcase to local government what good and meaningful supplier market engagement looks like.”
LOTI is hosted by London Councils and supported by the Mayor of London to help the boroughs collaborate on technology, data and innovation projects. techUK has over 900 members from a wide range of technology companies.
