Transforming Swindon: A look back, and forward, at digital innovation

Co-hosted by Swindon Borough Council and Jadu, this event reflects on a decade-long collaboration that has redefined digital delivery.

About this Event

Join us for a thought-provoking event that brings together digital leaders, transformation specialists, and service delivery professionals to explore the power of partnership, purpose, and platforms in UK local government.

Co-hosted by and , this event reflects on a decade-long collaboration that has redefined digital delivery in the public sector. Swindon and Jadu have worked side-by-side since 2017 to modernise public service delivery by building better resident experiences, streamlining internal processes, and reimagining how digital infrastructure supports modern governance.

This one-day event is your exclusive opportunity to hear directly from Swindon’s executive leadership, including Sam Mowbray (CEO), Sonia Grewal (COO), and Stephen Lugg (DDaT Director), alongside the CEO of Jadu, Suraj Kika, as they reflect on a decade of digital progress and explore what’s next.

Highlights of the day will include:

• Swindon’s digital evolution: Swindon’s Chief Executive, Sam Mowbray, will reflect on how a shared commitment to innovation enabled the transformation of public services, from early service redesign initiatives to sustainable digital delivery models. The "Digital Hub" project was initially set up to save £30mn in 30 months, which it achieved.
• Leadership in action: Sonia Grewal, Chief Operating Officer at Swindon Borough Council, will offer a senior lens on how Jadu’s platform underpins key elements of the council’s operational strategy and Case for Change.
• Tech that delivers: Hear from Stephen Lugg, Director of Data, Digital and Technology at Swindon, as he dives into how Swindon uses Jadu Connect to reduce delivery overheads, support in-house development, and accelerate agile service delivery.
• The strategic vision: Jadu’s CEO Suraj Kika shares the company's commitment to long-term partnerships with local authorities. Learn how Jadu Connect is helping to shape the next generation of digital government platforms with flexible, low-code, AI-powered tools designed around real human needs.
• Lessons from the frontline: The Business Improvement team will present a powerful visual showcase highlighting how Jadu supported Swindon through the pandemic, demonstrating adaptability in moments of real crisis and change, and how great leadership comes together under pressure.
• Real-world case studies: Learn from Christabel Banks-Coffey, Head of Operations, about how Swindon built a digital booking system for Swindon’s Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) during COVID-19, now one of the council’s most accessed online services with around 5,000 bookings made each week!
• Internal processes improvements: Christine Power, Head of Customer Strategy and Operations, will showcase how the Customer Services team simplified over 230 processes into a single streamlined model using Jadu’s platform, dramatically improving resident satisfaction, case management and tracking, and staff wellbeing.

...and much more! Alongside the sessions, there will be time to connect with peers over refreshments and lunch, offering a chance to share challenges, successes, and digital ambitions with colleagues from across the sector.

Why attend?

• Discover how a long-standing partnership has delivered real transformation

• Get practical inspiration from live case studies and digital strategies, and walk away with practical inspiration and tools for change
• Hear directly from top-level leaders at the council
• Contribute to the discussion on what the future of digital services should look like
• Hear how Swindon’s digital evolution was architected from the ground up
• Learn how low-code, citizen-centric design through Jadu Connect is enabling agile, responsive service delivery

About Jadu Connect

Jadu Connect is a flexible, no-code platform designed to help councils rapidly build digital forms, case management workflows, and service portals. It enables teams to streamline operations, reduce complexity, and significantly enhance the customer experience.

At its core, Connect is built around a vision of digital services that are accessible and reusable. Whether simplifying complaints handling or powering essential services during times of crisis, Jadu Connect empowers public sector organisations to deliver faster, smarter, and more sustainable services, making it easier than ever to do more with less.

Who should attend?

This event is designed for professionals working in local authorities, including:

• Heads of Digital, Customer Services, Transformation, and IT
• Senior leaders and decision-makers exploring platform partnerships
• Service designers, delivery managers, and business improvement teams
• Anyone interested in low-code digital tools and citizen-centred delivery

Be part of a powerful conversation about digital transformation, shared learning, and the future of resident-first services.

Spaces are limited - register your interest to attend!

Agenda


🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Arrivals and networking

🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Welcome to Swindon!
Host: Nick Hill, Events Consultant, Jadu

🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:10 AM
The Jadu Vision
Host: Suraj Kika, CEO, Jadu

Info: A strategic overview on product direction, platform evolution, and the value of long-term partnership with councils like Swindon.

🕑: 10:10 AM - 10:35 AM
Swindon’s digital journey - Past and present
Host: Sam Mowbray, CEO, Swindon Borough Council

Info: Reflections on Swindon’s early digital ambitions and the original service redesign programme.

This session evolves into a conversational moment between Suraj and Sam on how change was delivered and sustained for both Swindon Borough Council and Jadu’s development.

🕑: 10:35 AM - 10:55 AM
The strategic lens - Jadu’s role in delivery today
Host: Sonia Grewal, COO, Swindon Borough Council

Info: A senior leadership perspective on how Jadu supports the Case for Change, drives digital service delivery, and underpins Swindon’s operational model.

🕑: 10:55 AM - 11:20 AM
Break and networking

🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
Technology that delivers
Host: tephen Lugg, Service Director, Swindon Borough Council

Info: A session exploring how the platform supports in-house development, reduces delivery overheads, and enables agile service improvement.

🕑: 11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Storytelling in action
Host: Brooke Bindon, Senior Business Analyst, Swindon BC

Info: A visual showcase from Business Improvement, highlighting how Jadu supported key moments during the pandemic and beyond.

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:20 PM
Case study - HWRC bookings: lasting change from crisis
Host: Christabel Banks-Coffey, Head of Operations, Swindon BC

Info: How a booking solution introduced during Covid-19 became Swindon’s most accessed online service, improving safety, traffic flow and staff wellbeing.

🕑: 12:20 PM - 01:10 PM
Lunch

🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:30 PM
Case study - Complaints and internal processes
Host: Christine Power, Head of Customer Strategy and Operation

Info: How the Customer Services team used Jadu to simplify more than 230 processes into a streamlined casework model.

🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Workshop: Reflections and group discussion
Host: Samantha Starling, Head of Digital and Data, Swindon BC

Info: An interactive session to surface insights around the resident experience and enhancing the ‘My Account’ offer. This session will close with a brief Q&A to allow attendees to raise questions with any of the speakers.

🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Closing remarks

Also check out other Arts events in Swindon, Workshops in Swindon.