Collaboration was the central theme running throughout the highly anticipated SMART Government conference held earlier this month in Belfast’s Titanic Hotel, organised by SMART Global. Bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors, attendees were treated to a diverse range of presentations highlighting the successes of collaboration across the sectors to date, the current challenges facing digital innovation, and its future potential.

The day comprised of four sessions, each interlinked while remaining thematically distinct, perfectly epitomising the underpinning logic of such an event being organised. These covered a range of areas including delivery of shared services, Belfast as a Smart City, the demand for infrastructure innovation in advancing Northern Ireland as an attractive business location, the importance of data for innovation, and cyber security as a fundamental consideration in all areas. In addition, contemplation of the prospects for Northern Ireland’s economy in 2019 and a panel dedicated to Brexit contextualised the event, providing a space for reflection on the challenges facing the projects and ambitions outlined in the course of the day.

Comprising of both presentations and panel discussions, the conference was designed to facilitate and encourage attendee involvement, and there was a good level of engagement from the large number of people present over the course of the day. Informative sessions, such as those from Dave Anderson (Liberty IT) on ‘Democratising Data’, Conor Lambe (Danske Bank) on Northern Ireland’s economy, and Gary Robinson (Uleska) and Simon Whittaker’s (Vertical Structure) conversation on cyber security complemented well those elements which outlined specific projects. For instance, Caron Alexander (NI Direct) and Deirdre Ferguson’s (Belfast City Council) presentations which focused on citizen-centred approaches to digital transformation and shared services, and Patricia O’Hagan’s (Core Systems) overview of using technology as a tool to enact change within prisons, all provided real examples of the ‘connect, collaborate, create’ approach this conference sought to celebrate and promote.

Without a doubt, the Brexit panel was a particular highlight. Consisting of an overview of the current state of affairs presented by Professor Deirdre Heenan and business perspectives from Conall McDevitt (Hume Brophy) and Roger Pollen (FSB NI), this session brought to the fore the common concerns of attendees from public and private bases, with the only certainty emerging from this discussion being the presence of uncertainty.

There was a discernible sense of reluctance throughout the day for much discussion on what the impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit might be from the different perspectives covered. In its own way, the reticence to discuss the ‘what ifs’ of Brexit emphasised this prevailing sense of uncertainty, while perhaps also hinting at an optimism that the worst possible outcome will not become a reality. This distinct panel on the subject, therefore, was a welcome inclusion, and ensured that the ambitious and innovative plans being discussed did not become detached from these considerations.

It was cited as being an ‘ironic’ name for this event given the current political hiatus in Northern Ireland and the challenges this is giving rise to within the public sector, but this SMART Government conference highlighted a determination and commitment across the public and private sectors to continue and to extend collaborative efforts to enhance citizen-centred provision of services in Northern Ireland. This event showcased the necessity of these partnerships and provided a forum where on a personal level, new working relationships could begin to develop. Hopefully this was the first of what will become an annual event.

Tweets from the day can be found using #SMARTGov19; a video overview can be found here; and an outline of the presentation topics and presenters can be found here.

 

Some of the speakers from the conference: (L-R) Daniel Donnelly (FSB NI), Patricia O’Hagan (Core Systems), Simon Whittaker (Vertical Structure), Naomh McElhatton (Founder, SMART Global) & Jonah McLachlan (Fathom). Image credit: SMART Global