Where ideas, innovation, and community collide

UK Gov Camp 2025 was a remarkable gathering of passionate individuals dedicated to enhancing the public sector. This much-loved annual unconference, held at the Ministry of Justice in London, brought together a brilliant mix of individuals who really care about making a difference, sharing their ideas, and learning from one another. 

We were thrilled to support the event as a Platinum Sponsor. Supporting events like this is what we’re all about—bringing people together and creating positive change across the public sector.

So many sessions, so little time

With 53 sessions pitched by attendees, the day was filled with an abundance of choices. Each session offered unique insights and perspectives, meaning there was truly something for everyone.

Although we could only participate in a fraction of them, the online notes from the sessions mean we can still unpack all the fantastic insights from those we missed.

A feast of ideas

UK Gov Camp was a rich tapestry of new ideas and perspectives. It served as a valuable source of news and provided fresh angles on topics I am currently engaged with. The sessions covered a wide range of subjects, including AI and Data Quality, Community Engagement, Procurement, Innovation, and Experimentation. 

Some of our highlights

One of the standout sessions was "Failcamp: Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity in Government Projects." This refreshingly honest chat looked at the importance of viewing failure as a stepping stone to success, encouraging a culture of learning and resilience within government projects.

A highlight for us was hosting a session on Design Thinking. This interactive session allowed participants to engage with creative techniques to unlock innovation, providing practical tips on how these methods can be applied to create meaningful change.

What we learned and heard

Every session we attended was filled with innovative ideas and lively discussions. We discussed a PlatformLand hack day, where tech enthusiasts could gather to brainstorm and develop exciting prototypes. A standout recommendation from the event was the idea to update the Service Standard by separating data from service, which could streamline processes and enhance service delivery. 

The book club offered some fantastic reads for those interested in user centred design. Lou Downe's "Good Services" was praised for its universally applicable principles, making it a must-read. Kate Crawford's "Atlas of AI" was also recommended for its exploration of the expansive impact of artificial intelligence (AI). 

We heard about the benefits of low-code platforms, which can help teams move quickly and build robust services by bypassing the traditional craft and experience of designing and building services. The role of AI as a utility worker was another hot topic, focusing on identifying tasks that AI can accelerate rather than independently create. 

Lastly, there was a lot of chatter about service assessments, with people discussing that teams should focus on the service they need to build rather than focus predominantly on what  they need to do to pass these assessments. Overall, it was a day full of learning and inspiration!

A heartfelt thank you

Events like this don’t just happen. They’re the result of a huge amount of hard work by the organisers and camp makers. Their dedication over the months leading up to the event, and on the day itself, created a vibrant, welcoming space for conversations that really matter. All of us at TPXimpact want to say thank you to them.

Until next year

UK Gov Camp 2025 was filled with learning, sharing, and connections, and we’re already counting down the days to the next one. The ideas shared this year—and the people behind them—will keep pushing us forward as we work together to make the public sector better for everyone.