Event round-up: Building a Digital Nation: Estonia and the UK - Roundtable with Estonian Digital Minister Liisa Pakosta
Catch up on our roundtable with the Estonian Minister for Justice and Digital Affairs.
In this exclusive roundtable, techUK was delighted to host Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Minister Liisa Pakosta, for an open discussion with UK tech leaders on the future of digital public services. Featuring Estonia’s Digital Minister, representatives from the private sector, and various UK stakeholders, the event provided insight into the foundational principles and strategies that have enabled Estonia’s digital leadership.
Thank you for those who took the time to join us.
Trust as a foundation
Estonia’s digital success is rooted in public trust, which has been built through transparency, data ownership, and legal accountability. Citizens can see who accesses their data, and misuse is punishable — reinforcing trust in state systems. Estonia prioritises citizens’ control over data while ensuring full digital accessibility to public services. High trust and accountability in digital systems enabled high digital adoption rates, particularly in digital identity.
Estonia’s post-Soviet digital transition was driven by necessity. Digitisation was seen as a low-cost, high-impact tool for fighting corruption and rebuilding governance. Over time, Estonia has maintained its digital-first approach by embracing not only transparency, but also user-centricity alongside private-sector innovation. Estonia’s model thrives on private sector innovation, enabled by clear procurement rules and collaborative regulation. Digital ID, for example, was adapted from the banking sector. Estonia’s transparency in governance encourages SMEs and multinationals to contribute to scalable digital solutions.
Responsible AI Integration
Estonia is a pioneer in integrating AI across public services, with over 200 AI-enabled services already operational. An example included the process of whether an individual was able to cut down a specific tree, which could now be authorised in one minute. A national education initiative launching in September will provide free AI access to all upper-secondary students and teachers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to digital literacy. Recognising the legal challenges of a digital society, Estonia has created a new Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs. This reflects the need for legal innovation alongside technical advancements, especially with the growing use of large language models (LLMs) and AI.
Developing digital infrastructure
Cybersecurity is embedded in Estonia’s digital architecture and institutional mindset. As the first country to experience cyber-attacks in 2007, Estonia developed a robust infrastructure (e.g. X-Road) that integrates cyber resilience practices into everyday digital service delivery.
While Estonia embraces cloud technology, its adoption is strategic rather than all-encompassing. Services are reviewed for relevance and usability before migration, ensuring that the move enhances — rather than complicates — user experience.
Education, Accessibility and Inclusion
Estonia’s digital education strategy, supported by public libraries and community information centres, ensures equitable access. Teachers adapted rapidly during COVID-19, leveraging digital tools to maintain learning continuity — a testament to digital literacy being embedded across generations.
The Estonian experience shows that digital transformation must be tailored to national contexts. While some elements (e.g. Ukraine’s mobile government app) have been successfully replicated, others require adaptation to local political, cultural, and legal conditions.
This event was part of techUK’s engagements designed to bring international best practices to UK digital policymaking, with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and trust in technology.
On 18 June, techUK is hosting a international webinar that will explore how digital ID systems are being developed, governed, and adopted both in the UK and abroad. As the UK moves forward in shaping its digital identity ecosystem, this event will explore what lessons we can draw from countries that are already ahead of the curve. To find out more, please click here.
Heather Cover-Kus
Head of Central Government Programme, techUK
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
The techUK Central Government Programme provides a forum for government to engage with tech suppliers. We advocate for the govtech sector, evangelise tech as a solution to public sector challenges, facilitate market engagement, and help make the public sector an easier market to operate in. Visit the programme page here.
Call for blogs: Digital Transformation in the Public Sector Week 2025 #techUKdigitalPS
From Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July techUK’s Central Government programme will be running our annual Digital Transformation in the Public Sector Week. #techUKDigitalPS
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) G-Cloud 15 Supplier Update|17 June 2025
On Tuesday 17 June from 10:00 - 12:00, techUK is pleased to be hosting the Crown Commercial Service for an online supplier update session focussing on G-Cloud 15.
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) G-Cloud 15 Supplier Update | 19 June 2025
On Thursday 19 June from 10:30 - 12:30, techUK is pleased to be hosting the Crown Commercial Service for an online supplier update session focussing on G-Cloud 15.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman
Junior Programme Manager - Central Government, techUK
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
