3rd June 2025
3 min read
Reflections from LGPN North 2025
Tanya Corsie
CEO
Stephen Wanless
CCO
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How Public Sector Legal Teams Are Embracing Digital Transformation
Local government teams across the UK are under growing pressure to modernise. But as the Iken team discovered at our first LGPN North event, the challenges facing councils aren’t just technical — they’re deeply human, structural, and systemic.
Held in Manchester, LGPN North 2025 brought together digital leaders, IT strategists, transformation heads and solution providers to share the realities of public sector innovation. For Iken, it was an opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping the future of digital services in local government.
Here are three key themes that stood out — and what they mean for the road ahead.
“This wasn’t just a showcase of new tools — it was a frank and generous exchange about the structural and human barriers to transformation. The desire for change is real, but the path forward depends on shared understanding and trust.”
Tanya Corsie
CEO
AI Readiness Begins with Data Reality
There’s genuine appetite across the sector to explore the potential of AI — but many teams feel they’re stuck at the starting line.
Beyond enthusiasm for tools like Microsoft CoPilot, attendees spoke openly about the blockers: unstructured data, disconnected systems, and legacy architecture that make it hard to experiment, let alone embed AI responsibly.
Progress means first addressing the fundamentals — secure, joined-up systems; clear data ownership; and governance policies that align with risk and compliance requirements. That’s where public sector legal and governance teams, often the custodians of complex and sensitive data, can lead from the front.
Transformation Is a Process, Not a Template
From our one-to-one meetings with delegates, it was clear that digital transformation journeys vary widely.
Some councils arrived with clearly defined programmes, while others were attending LGPN North precisely to shape their thinking — to learn from others, explore real examples, and test ideas in a safe, open space.
This mix highlights a truth that often gets lost in technology conversations:
"One thing that stood out in every conversation: digital transformation isn’t just about software. It’s about people understanding the purpose behind the change."
Stephen Wanless
CCO
One of the keynote panels reinforced this point with a practical message: over-communicate with users. Explain the ‘why’. Take people with you — or risk fear, resistance, and disruption taking root.
For those leading change in legal and governance teams, success comes not just from selecting the right software, but from building confidence around it.
Collaboration Can’t Be an Afterthought
If there was one theme echoed across panels and informal conversations, it was this:
Whether it’s developing shared frameworks for AI governance, responding to cyber threats, or navigating Local Government Reorganisation — collaboration, not competition, is key.
The former UK Government Chief Digital Officer called for a more standardised, centralised approach to data strategy. While councils rightly value local control, there’s a growing recognition that shared learning and collective resilience offer real sector-wide benefits — especially in times of financial and operational uncertainty.
For Iken, this reinforces our belief that the best digital tools are not just secure and capable — they’re built to connect, inform, and support collaboration across teams and organisations.
Final Thoughts
From the conversations we had, the message is clear: local authorities aren’t lacking ambition. They’re navigating a complex landscape with stretched resources, structural uncertainty, and rising expectations.
The path forward doesn’t lie in chasing trends or rushing transformation. It’s about making thoughtful, practical steps — strengthening the foundations, sharing lessons, and choosing tools that match the reality of public sector life.
At Iken, we’re proud to support that journey — helping legal and governance teams simplify complexity, build trust, and stay focused on the outcomes that matter.
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