Why Attend (Workforce & Capability)

Turning AI ambition into
practical government delivery

13–14 October 2026 | Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow


Workforce and capability leaders are under growing pressure to build sustainable digital skills, reduce dependency on contractors and prepare organisations for rapid change.

Connect with senior leaders from across central government facing the same transformation, resilience and delivery challenges.

Trusted by leaders from departments including

 

CGPN brings together senior workforce, people and capability leaders to explore practical approaches to skills, culture and organisational readiness.

Built around real departmental pressures, the programme focuses on capability-building, leadership and long-term resilience.

Register to attend CGPN  View agenda highlights

  • Invitation-only senior leadership forum
  • Complimentary overnight accommodation included
  • Director and Chief-level attendees targeted
  • Practical delivery-focused agenda
  • Cross-government networking and collaboration

Built for senior government leaders facing
real delivery pressure

CGPN brings together leaders responsible for digital transformation, AI implementation, cyber resilience, data strategy, procurement and operational delivery across central government and wider public-sector organisations.

The 2026 programme reflects the biggest challenges departments are actively managing today:
 

  • Moving AI from pilot projects into operational delivery
  • Modernising legacy systems without increasing risk
  • Improving resilience across shared platforms and infrastructure
  • Building sustainable in-house capability
  • Reducing duplication across government
  • Delivering measurable public value under financial pressure

Confirmed speakers include:

 

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Sarah Slack

Sarah Slack

Assistant Director, Customer Excellence , Homes England
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Andrew Muncaster

Andrew Muncaster

Head of Technology and Data , Change and Technology Service, The Insolvency Service
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Nisreen Ameen

Nisreen Ameen

Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Policy , Henley Business School, University of Reading
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Jonathan Pownall

Jonathan Pownall

Senior Digital Specialist , National Audit Office
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Malachi Rangecroft

Malachi Rangecroft

Head of Data Management , Ministry of Justice
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Ian Knowles

Ian Knowles

Director General for Digital and Infrastructure Group , Department of Education
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Ann-Marie Mulcahy

Ann-Marie Mulcahy

Deputy Director of CMA Programmes and Transformation , UK Health Security Agency
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Matt McKeown

Matt McKeown

Deputy Director for Strategy and Delivery , Cabinet Office
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Pippa Robertson

Pippa Robertson

Deputy Director of Emerging Tech Policy and Cyber Investments , Ofgem
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Mona Lewis

Mona Lewis

Deputy Director for Digital and Technology , Ministry of Justice
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Philip Orumwense

Philip Orumwense

Commercial Director and Chief Technology Procurement Officer , Government Commercial Agency
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Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen

Director of Data Services , The Pensions Regulator
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Victoria Cope

Victoria Cope

Chief Procurement Officer , Ministry of Defence
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Ravinder Singh

Ravinder Singh

Head of Digital and Systems Team , Cabinet Office - Government Commercial Function (GCF)
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Lee Dunn

Lee Dunn

Head of the Scottish Digital Academy , Scottish Government
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Kevin Keith

Kevin Keith

Chair , UK Open Government Network
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Suzannah Brecknell

Suzannah Brecknell

Co-Editor , Civil Service World
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Ruzin Saleem

Ruzin Saleem

No 10 Innovation Fellow , 10 Downing Street
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Paul Turner

Paul Turner

Head of Change Delivery , Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Eoin Mulgrew

Eoin Mulgrew

Head of Digital Transformation , 10 Downing Street
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Claire Harrison

Claire Harrison

Government Innovation Expert , UK Civil Service
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Keith Dargie

Keith Dargie

Chief Digital Information Officer , Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

 

Connect with senior leaders
facing similar government challenges

2026 confirmed attendees   2025 confirmed attendees


CGPN brings together senior leaders responsible for delivering transformation, resilience, operational efficiency and digital capability across government. Attendees join CGPN to benchmark approaches, share practical delivery insight and discuss the pressures departments are actively managing in 2026.

 

Transformation & Delivery

  • Digital Transformation Directors
  • Strategy Directors
  • Change & Delivery Leaders
  • Operational Transformation Leaders

Commercial & Capability

  • Procurement & Commercial Leaders
  • Workforce & Capability Leaders
  • Corporate Transformation Leaders

Digital, Data & Technology

  • Chief Information Officers
  • Chief Digital Officers
  • Chief Data Officers
  • Chief Technology Officers
  • Heads of Data & AI
  • Service Design & Digital Services Leaders

Cyber, Risk & Governance

  • Chief Information Security Officers
  • SIROs
  • Governance & Assurance Leaders
  • Operational Resilience Leaders

Why senior government leaders
attend CGPN

CGPN is designed around the practical delivery, transformation and operational challenges departments are actively managing in 2026.

Every session, discussion and networking opportunity is built to help leaders benchmark approaches, explore implementation strategies and learn from comparable organisations across government.

 

Building Sustainable Internal Capability

Explore how departments are strengthening skills and reducing external dependency.

Solving Workforce Challenges Together

Benchmark approaches to recruitment, retention and capability development.

Preparing Organisations For Change

Discuss culture, leadership and workforce readiness.

Practical Capability-Building Strategies

Learn from leaders actively addressing government skills challenges.

Connect With Workforce Leaders

Build relationships with peers navigating similar organisational pressures.

Fully Hosted Senior Leadership Experience

Accommodation, networking and programme access included.

Agenda themes shaping
government transformation in 2026

Departments are being asked to deliver transformation at pace while building sustainable capability and reducing reliance on external support. The agenda explores the workforce challenges shaping government delivery.

The CGPN agenda focuses on the delivery, technology and leadership challenges leaders are actively navigating today.

Recommended discussions for Workforce & Capability leaders

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  1. Talent, not technology: No. 10 Innovation Fellowship in action
    Main room
    • Digital, Data & AI
    Government is moving from AI ambition to delivery; but the real challenge is applying technology effectively to complex, real-world problems. The No.10 Innovation Fellowship tackles this by embedding world-class technical talent into priority challenges across Whitehall, accelerating progress and delivering tangible outcomes at pace. In this keynote, Eoin Mulgrew is joined by one of the Fellows to bring this model to life. Blending strategic insight with a live case study, they will share what it takes to move from concept to impact; including what works, what doesn’t, and the barriers that remain. This session offers senior leaders a view from the frontline of transformation, providing a tangible, proven model for delivering AI-enabled change across government.
    Eoin Mulgrew
    Eoin Mulgrew, Head of Digital Transformation - 10 Downing Street
  2. From siloed to synched: Solving government’s shared challenges
    Main room
    • Strategy & Leadership
    • Digital, Data & AI
    • Operations & Service Delivery

    Despite efforts to reform, central government still operates largely in departmental silos, limiting opportunities to deliver joined-up, efficient systems. With pressure mounting to do more with less, 2026 marks a shift toward converged operating models and cross-government collaboration. Yet barriers remain around data-sharing, supplier management and investment decisions. This session brings together leaders to explore how government can move from isolated initiatives to a system-wide approach. What practical steps would enable data sharing and align strategy across departments? 

    • How can government overcome cultural and organisational barriers to effective data sharing?
    • What does a realistic, joined-up operating model look like across departments?
    • How can shared services reduce duplication while respecting departmental autonomy? 
    Paul Turner
    Paul Turner, Head of Change Delivery - Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
    Matt McKeown
    Matt McKeown, Deputy Director for Strategy and Delivery - Cabinet Office
  3. Are we investing in capability, or outsourcing the future of government?
    Main room
    • Digital, Data & AI
    • Workforce, Skills & Culture

    Government has talked about building digital capability for years, yet many departments continue to be heavily reliant on contractors. As transformation accelerates, a critical question emerges: is government building sustainable capability, or outsourcing its future? Despite growing investment, skills gaps persist, digital literacy remains uneven, and competition with the private sector continues to intensify. At the same time, expectations of the civil service are rising to build sustainable, in-house capability and foster cultures that embrace digital change. This panel explores how government can move from short-term resourcing fixes to long-term capability, aligning workforce strategy with transformation goals.

    • Where should departments prioritise investment to build high-impact, in-house data and digital capability?
    • How can government reduce reliance on contractors without slowing delivery?
    • How do we scale meaningful digital literacy across the civil service?
    • How can leaders evolve culture, career pathways, and incentives to retain talent?  
    Suzannah Brecknell
    Suzannah Brecknell, Co-Editor - Civil Service World
    Lee Dunn
    Lee Dunn, Head of the Scottish Digital Academy - Scottish Government

View full agenda  Register your place at CGPN

Built around the pressures
government leaders are facing

Capability leaders are balancing recruitment, retention, digital literacy and organisational change while supporting ambitious transformation programmes.

CGPN provides practical discussion and peer insight into those challenges.

  • For Digital & Transformation Leaders
    Explore how comparable departments are approaching operational delivery, transformation accountability and measurable outcomes under growing pressure to modernise services faster.
  • For Data & AI Leaders
    Discuss how government organisations are strengthening data foundations, AI governance and implementation readiness while balancing transparency, trust and operational delivery expectations.
  • For Cyber & Risk Leaders
    Understand how peers are approaching resilience, accountability and emerging threats as increasingly connected systems reshape operational risk across government.
  • For Technology Leaders
    Compare approaches to legacy modernisation, interoperability and scalable technology delivery while balancing operational continuity and long-term transformation goals.
     
  • For Procurement & Commercial Leaders
    Explore how departments are rethinking procurement, supplier collaboration and investment accountability to support more agile and sustainable delivery.
     
  • For Workforce & Capability Leaders
    Discuss how government leaders are strengthening digital capability, reducing contractor dependency and building sustainable transformation capacity internally.

Designed for senior leaders
not generic transformation audiences

“I don’t need another broad digital transformation event.”

The 2026 programme is specifically focused on practical implementation, operational resilience and measurable outcomes across government.

“I need to know the audience is senior enough.”

CGPN is positioned as an invitation-only senior leadership forum targeting Director and Chief-level decision-makers across government departments and agencies.

“Most AI events are too theoretical.”

Sessions focus on operational delivery, governance, data readiness, accountability and implementation challenges departments are actively facing today.

Secure your complimentary place

CGPN Registration

13 – 14 October 2026, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow.

Please provide as much detail as you can when completing this form. Your responses directly inform the agenda, discussion topics, and the solution provider selection – ensuring the event reflects the real pressures and priorities across the sector.

Please note that all registrations are subject to approval by our delegate team. 


 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Senior leaders across digital, data, cyber, technology, transformation, procurement and operational delivery functions within central government and wider public-sector organisations

Your delegate pass includes access to all main room and breakout presentations, one-on-one business meetings with relevant solution providers, breakfast, lunch, drinks reception, sponsored networking dinner, and digital copies of all presentations.

When you register, you'll tell us about your current challenges and priorities. We'll then arrange targeted meetings with solution providers who can address your specific needs – giving you focused time to explore solutions without the noise of a traditional exhibition hall.

CGPN is focused on practical delivery, peer collaboration and operational accountability rather than generic transformation messaging.

Your registration responses directly inform the agenda, discussion topics, and which solution providers we invite. We build the event around the real challenges and priorities you're facing right now, ensuring every session addresses current departmental pressures.

Yes. Delegates are welcome to invite up to three senior colleagues, subject to approval.

Key themes include AI adoption, operational resilience, cyber security, data governance, workforce capability, procurement reform and cross-government collaboration.

Yes. The event specifically targets Director and Chief-level decision-makers across government departments and agencies.

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