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Gavin

@gavinbeckett.bsky.social
399 followers 215 following 180 posts

Director at Public Digital, supporting organisations through radical transformation. Spent 20+ year in UK LocalGov, and 6 years at Placecube working with councils to co-design and develop an open source SaaS digital platform.

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Reposted by Gavin
Benjamin Welby @bm.wel.by · 12/05/2026
Wading into current affairs with a reflection on the thing that I think would go a long, long way to helping Britain figure out what it is we want to do for the rest of the 21st century instead of lurching from one political crisis to another. Because I, for one, am exceptionally bored of it.
bm.wel.by
Here’s one weird trick that could save Keir Starmer - bmwelby's blog
Britain is no longer behaving like a two-party country. What if the answer to our woes (and Keir's) was citizen-led electoral reform?
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
“Defence against the Dark Arts” how do you deal with people bringing you the solution? @publicdigital.bsky.social facilitating an open discussion at #ukgc26
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Pauline Roche @paulineroche.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Folks at #ukgc26 talking about #TotalPlace might find this useful from CLES: the national organisation for local economics #CommunityWealthBuilding cles.org.uk/blog/anchor-...
cles.org.uk
Anchor networks – the delivery engine of Total Place 2.0? | CLES
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Seeing links made in real time at #ukgc26 is always fun - folks from OpenDigital Planning team in MHCLG and GDS Local picking up opportunities to collaborate 🫶🏽
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Excellent… a pitch from GDS Local at #ukgc26 I’ll be there 🤩
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Great to be back at #ukgc26 with @publicdigital.bsky.social - come and talk to us during the day! I’m here with Gurpreet, Oli and Linda (and hopefully Jess if the train eventually arrives!)
Selfie of Gavin Beckett at UKGovCamp with a crowd of attendees behind him in a grand civic chamber
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Great to be hosted by a council for #ukgc26 - public services all come together around people in places 🫶🏽
A slide reading #ukgc26 in partnership with Birmingham City Council
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James Arthur Cattell @jacattell.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
...and we're off 🙂 #ukgc26
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Public Digital @publicdigital.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
This Thursday we're hosting a PD Sessions event on Finding Opportunities for Radical Transformation in Local Public Services. Book your place to attend in person or online ⬇️ public.digital/events/pd-se...
A promotional banner for our PD Sessions panel event featuring the host and panelists. It lists the following individuals and their organisations:

Host: Rob Miller, Senior Director, Public Digital

Hamida Ali, Head of Learning and Practice, Future Governance Forum

Lorna Rogers, Interim Director of Digital & Transformation, Liverpool City Region

Eddie Copeland, Director, London Office of Technology & Innovation

Vincent Van Beek, Omnichannel Project Manager, Mijnservices, Netherlands
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Public Digital @publicdigital.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
As well as our monthly round-up of internet era ways of working and technology news, Public Digital newsletter #101 explores examples of change and innovation in local government. Read it on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pulse/public...
linkedin.com
Public Digital #101 | Public Digital
On Thursday we’re hosting a session on finding opportunities for radical transformation in local public services.   As well as our monthly round-up of internet era ways of working and technology news,...
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Looking forward to @govcampcymru.bsky.social tomorrow in Cardiff 🤩 who else is going?
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Public Digital @publicdigital.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
UK local government is at a pivotal moment. As PD Director Gavin Beckett writes, it’s time to start building dynamic service organisations to respond to the challenges of today. Our event on 27 November will explore how we can build a movement across the sector. public.digital/pd-insights/...
Abstract illustration of interconnected, colourful circles on a light blue background,
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James Arthur Cattell @jacattell.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
UKGovCamp 2026 ( #ukgc26 ) will be in #Birmingham on Saturday 17 January 2026. We need a venue: 1️⃣ for 250 people, 2️⃣ 8 breakout rooms, 3️⃣ wheelchair accessible. @imhuyorks.bsky.social is leading the search. Please share and reply with ideas 🙂
The UK Gov Camp logo, which look like a fireball heading right. The top half is blue and rest is red. In the middle is a white line that looks like the river Thames.
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Looking forward to my first @localgov.digital event of the year… at AWS HQ to listen and talk about how AI is being used in local public services. And to share some thoughts from a @publicdigital.bsky.social perspective about the value of test and learn to help us avoid false certainty around AI
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 04/06/2025
A massive thank you to Emily @civicdatacoop.bsky.social, Adam @merseycarenhs.bsky.social, Michael @socialfinance.bsky.social, Sam @opendatamcr.bsky.social and Ste @sthelenscouncil.bsky.social for a brilliant Data Bites, and everyone in Liverpool for welcoming us! Watch back bit.ly/databites56
bit.ly
Join Slido: Enter #code to vote and ask questions
Participate in a live poll, quiz or Q&A. No login required.
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The Dusty Wheel Inn of The Wheel of Time @thedustywheel.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
#WoTShowSpoilers Finn: What is your need??! Fandom: Season 4, NOW! #TheWheelOfTime #WoTSkies
A Fox/alien like creature with red orange hair and blue skin. Teeth are sharp. Strange white clothing which in closer inspection has faces.

Caption: What is your need?
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Proud husband moment #OUFamily @openuniversity.bsky.social
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Just watched ep2 of s3 #TheWheelofTime and it was fantastic 🤩 contains so much book content and great TV… @amazonprime.bsky.social @sonypicturestv.bsky.social we love it, get season 4 greenlit now!
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Really enjoyed watching the fan event screening of s3 ep1 of Wheel of Time 🤩 @amazonprime.bsky.social @sonypicturestv.bsky.social @thewheeloftime.bsky.social We need season 4 greenlit now!! #wheeloftime #amazonprime #sonypictures
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John Bourne @johnbourne.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
"Understanding user needs, designing effective systems, and fostering a culture of adaptability are just as crucial as the technology itself." Yes AI, this applied to you too. Great stuff from @publicdigital.bsky.social and @daivaughan.uk public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
Gov.uk: Are we ready for an AI Revolutionpublic digitalpublic digital
Dai Vaughn blogs in response to Kier Starmer's announcement on investment in AI
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Alastair Somerville @acuity.design · 10/02/2025
As AI adverts appear and crypto disappear… Techbros and politicians never close off their design fictions or manifesto speeches when they fail to deliver. People remember and resent those unfinished stories
First tell me about what happened to the last next big thing
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Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 06/02/2025
It's generally not outdated technology that stymies simpler, cheaper and more empathetic public services. It's outdated culture, processes and operating models.
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Merici @merici.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Direct File is live and you can now choose to import your tax information directly from the IRS. 💥 Direct File is a free, secure, accurate product from the IRS - and it is available in 25 states. Visit DirectFile.irs.gov to check eligibility and learn more.
directfile.irs.gov
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
I didn’t post all day at #ukgovcamp25 because I was having so many conversations that took up all my concentration - and still didn’t speak to everyone I’d have liked to! Went to several good sessions and enjoyed the contributions. And really loved showing up as part of @publicdigital.bsky.social 🥰
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Coco @cocochan.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
It’s #ukgc25 today! 🥳 Please use alt text if you’re sharing photos 🙏🏻
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Off to that London to catch up with @publicdigital.bsky.social colleagues in #PDTowers today and go to #UKGovCamp25 tomorrow @ukgovcamp.bsky.social
Empty rail tracks in the early morning at Weston-Super-Mare station
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Who is going to @ukgovcamp.bsky.social on Saturday? (And pre-camp social on Friday night?)
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Local Government Association (LGA) @local.gov.uk · 08/01/2025
Hello Bluesky! As we welcome the new year, we're thrilled to join Bluesky and share the latest news and information that matters to #LocalGov. Stay connected with us for useful LGA resources and updates - follow us here and visit our website 👇 www.local.gov.uk
local.gov.uk
Local Government Association
We are the national voice of local government, working with councils to support, promote and improve
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James Arthur Cattell @jacattell.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Hello 🙂 I'm looking for my next public sector role and would appreciate your support. Let me know if you hear of anything or wanna catch up. #OpenToWork 💼 Preferably agile delivery manager. 📜 Open to contract, permanent or temporary roles. 🌎 Remote or based in Manchester, London or Sheffield.
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Public Digital @publicdigital.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
We started 2024 as a team of 58 in London and are ending it 83 people and a network of 250 people worldwide. Thanks to our clients, colleagues and partners for making this year unforgettable. We're back on 2 Jan. From all of us at PD, we wish you a joyful holiday and an inspiring start to 2025.
The team at Public Digital in a group photo, with the words 'Happy Holidays' in the background and coloured snow falling
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Spending some time in London catching up with folks. Currently sitting in a cafe opposite MHCLG in Marsham St, watching a live online demo of the open source LocalGovIMS system that was funded by the Local Digital team. Really great to see how ready it is for councils to begin adopting 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Yay! 🎉 notified I’ve got a ticket to @ukgovcamp.bsky.social Very exciting. Will be my first one as part of @publicdigital.bsky.social and look forward to all of the conversations 😊#ukgovcamp2025
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
It’s been a truly lovely week one at @publicdigital.bsky.social 🥰 with gentle induction sessions from the founders and leadership team, friendly and enthusiastic welcomes from my new colleagues in the health, LocalGov & charities team, and some intense dives into client work… #testandlearn
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 07/11/2024
After a couple of busy days surrounded by the intensity and tech/infrastructure heavy atmosphere of Smart City Expo, and many fantastic catch up chats with old colleagues, it’s time to slow down the pace in a great cafe recommended by Linda O’Halloran 😊
A coffee, croissant and copy of Richard Pope’s book Platformland in a Barcelona cafe
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Sarah Prag @sarahprag.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
In this tumultuous week I'm hoping to bring some calm & tranquility to my Tools for Wellbeing session at Agile in the City in Bristol tomorrow. It turns out the method I'm using is quite agile too! Reflections on this & how we might build wellbeing into teams at bringbalance.co.uk/2024/11/05/a...
bringbalance.co.uk
Agile in the City… and agile in sophrology
I’m excited to be offering my first conference taster session at Agile in the City in Bristol this week – particularly as there are so many pleasing parallels between the principles of …
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
For anyone who needs a bit of peace and tranquility this morning. Although I’m equally down with rage if that’s your preference 😒
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 04/11/2024
Hola Barcelona 😎
Photo of Barcelona port lit up at night from a plane
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 01/11/2024
Lovely to catch up with @jukesie this morning in Bristol and talk all things public sector, digital and change… plus politics UK and US! Being in Bristol always makes me nostalgic for my days at the council, so I’ve ended up in Woodes cafe, scene of many meetings about service transformation 2008-16
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 27/10/2024
Just posted a longer reflection on my work with Placecube and imminent move to Public Digital. medium.com/@gavinbecket...
medium.com
What’s next?
Turning the page to chapter four…
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 25/10/2024
I’m excited to share that I’m joining @publicdigital.bsky.social to be part of their exciting work supporting the public sector through radical transformation. I will miss folks at Placecube & still believe in their mission & the importance of open, flexible, community-led digital platforms
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Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 24/10/2024
Why a shared NHS patient record is hard, and what needs to change to make it a reality. Written by @e17chrisfleming.bsky.social and @mattstibbs.bsky.social, who've both been at the sharp end of NHS data sharing. public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
Patient records and the NHS Apppublic digitalpublic digital
Technical, design, commercial and policy challenges with putting medical records in the hands of NHS patients
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Chris Fleming @e17chrisfleming.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
Patient records and the NHS App are in the news again. Me and @mattstibbs.bsky.social wrote down some thoughts. TLDR: the perfect architectural approach won’t solve for fundamental environmental challenges that need addressing. public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
Patient records and the NHS Apppublic digitalpublic digital
Technical, design, commercial and policy challenges with putting medical records in the hands of NHS patients
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
Looking forward to @richardpope.org and @emercoleman.bsky.social discussing Platformland over the next hour 😁
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Petergeist Clines @peterclines.com · 18/10/2024
HOLY HELL PEOPLE IN HIS HOUSE AT R'LYEH HE WAITS DREAMING DO NOT GO THE SUNKEN PACIFIC LANDMASS WE'VE BEEN OVER THIS MANY TIMES NOW
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Careful Trouble @carefultrouble.bsky.social · 15/10/2024
Our friends Knowle West Media Centre are hosting "What if...? Seeds of Tomorrow Growing Today" - a community tech + arts event on Thursday 17th October at KWMC. From 6pm - 9pm you will hear from artists, community organisers and researchers. Book your tickets here: lnkd.in/e_efwkJ9
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 12/10/2024
Great line up - wish I could be there, in particular to experience the Wellbeing workshop from the amazing @sarahprag.bsky.social
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 10/10/2024
Great thread, love the focus on sitting alongside people doing the work, listening, and finding a balance between radical hopeful ambition and what’s practical in the circumstances. The point about adopting full DDaT structure being a step too far for org budgets resonates a lot for councils
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Anna Dent @annadent.bsky.social · 08/10/2024
A quick blogpost from me, inspired by @jenitennison.com's write-up of her initial thoughts on the new digital heart of government. If you're interested in or working on the overlap between digital services and relational working, pls get in touch 😀✉️ www.abdconsultancy.co.uk/blog/relatio...
abdconsultancy.co.uk
Relational digital futures — ABD Consultancy
What principles should underpin government's approach to digital public services?
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Ed Garcez @garcez.eu · 01/10/2024
Sharing this (from the other place). I'm a trustee at the Stroke Association. This is really, really hard hitting and a possible trigger, it's about stroke and the impact of stroke. TRIGGER ALERT If you want to know more, see the post here > x.com/TheStrokeAss...
x.com
x.com
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Gavin @gavinbeckett.bsky.social · 01/10/2024
Anyone who likes early 80s goth or 90s shoegaze, check out Affection to Rent - their new single “If we fall” is a great combination of shimmering wall of guitars, moments of space and ethereal vocals music.apple.com/gb/album/if-... or open.spotify.com/album/1zgDeh...
music.apple.com
If We Fall - Single by Affection to Rent on Apple Music
Album · 2024 · 1 Song
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