Cover photo: Immediate past president, Kurt Frary, with newly elected president, Yogita Popat (Photo by Anastasia Jobson)
It is hard to believe that only a few weeks have passed since I took on the role of Socitm president at our President’s Conference in June. It has been an exciting, and energising start, and if I’m honest a little overwhelming at times too.
I have been really touched by the warmth, encouragement and good wishes I have received from colleagues and members across the Socitm community.
Like many Socitm members, I also have a busy day job. Becoming president does not replace that responsibility, it sits alongside it. Over the past few weeks, I have found myself balancing the demands of my council role with the privilege of representing Socitm and our wider membership community. It is something I feel genuinely grateful for, and something I take seriously.
For me, the president’s role is about leadership on behalf of members. It is about listening, championing the issues that matter to the people working across digital, data and technology in public services, and helping Socitm continue to be an organisation that that supports, connects and strengthens our profession.
What has struck me most is that this role is not just about representing members; it is about working alongside them and helping to create the conditions for everyone in our profession to thrive.
Having been part of Socitm for many years, I know first-hand how valuable that support can be.
Some of the most important opportunities for growth, in my own career have come through the networks, relationships and learning experiences that Socitm makes possible. The Empowering Women course is a good example. It gave me access to a generous and supportive community of peers and mentors who encouraged me to think differently about leadership, to be braver and to have more confidence in what I could contribute.
Those experiences have also shaped how I think about for the future of our profession.
Across the public sector, we regularly talk about digital skills, recruitment challenges and the pace of change. But one issue I believe deserves even greater attention is succession planning.
Who are the people who will lead our organisations over the next decade? How do we help talented individuals feel ready to take the next step? How do we create opportunities for emerging leaders to learn from those who have already walked that path?
At a time when public services are facing increasing complexity and pressure, investing in the next generation of leaders has never felt more important.
Those questions were very much on my mind when we launched the Future Leaders initiative at President’s Conference.
Future Leaders is something I care deeply about. The aim is simple: to help identify, develop and support the next generation of digital, data and technology leaders across the public sector.
For me, it is about confidence, opportunity and connection. We know there are brilliant people across our sector who have the ability to lead, but they may not always have access to the networks, mentoring or support that can help them progress.
That’s why I’m particularly excited about the opportunities Future Leaders will create for participants to engage directly with experienced colleagues from across the Socitm community, including members of our board. The ability to learn from people who have faced similar challenges, navigated career transitions and led through periods of change can be invaluable.
When I look back on my own career, I can identify conversations, mentors and networks that made a real difference at key moments. Often, it wasn’t a formal course that gave me the greatest insight. It was speaking honestly with someone who understood the challenge I was facing and was willing to share their experiences.
In many ways, that’s what Socitm has always done best. We bring people together.
Whatever challenge you’re facing, the chances are that someone else in the network has faced something very similar. Whether it’s leadership, organisational change, service transformation, AI, cyber security, data, skills or workforce challenges, there is enormous value in connecting with peers who understand the realities of working in public service.
That’s why one of my priorities as president is to encourage members to make the most of those connections.
Join the conversations. Attend events. Share your experiences. Ask questions. Reach out to people. Offer support where you can.
The strongest organisations are those that learn from others, and the strongest professional communities are those built on generosity, openness and shared experience. When members connect with one another, everybody benefits.
For me, that’s when Socitm is at its best and most useful.
Over the coming year, I’m looking forward to meeting more members, hearing your stories and understanding the opportunities and challenges you’re facing. I am particularly excited to see how Future Leaders develops and the difference it can make in building confidence, strengthening succession planning and supporting the leaders our sector will need in the years ahead.
I’m proud to be playing a small part in that journey and grateful for the opportunity to serve as your president.
A final thought
This is the first of what I hope will become a regular president’s blog.
Over the coming year, I’d like to use this space to share reflections from my role, highlight issues affecting our profession and explore topics that matter to our members. Most importantly, I want it to be more than a one-way update.
I hope this blog becomes a space where we can reflect honestly, share learning generously and celebrate the work happening across our community. I am really looking forward to the conversations ahead.
If there are questions you would like me to answer, challenges you would like me to explore, or topics you would like to see covered in a future blog, I would love to hear from you. Please send your ideas to David Ogden at hello@socitm.net and we’ll look to feature as many member suggestions as possible throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who has already offered advice, encouragement and support as I begin this role.
As I begin my year as president, my commitment is to listen, learn and champion the issues that matter most to our members, Socitm is at its strongest when we come together with openness, generosity and shared purpose. I am really looking forward to the year ahead, and to shaping the future of our profession together.
