Derby City Council finalists at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026

We’re delighted to share that Derby City Council have been shortlisted as a finalist at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards 2026 in the "AI in Public Services" category, highlighting their impact in leading the AI revolution in local government.

The finalist announcement recognises Derby’s pioneering work to deliver the UK’s first unified AI operating model for local government, moving beyond isolated pilots to embed AI across resident services, staff productivity and back-office operations.

A new benchmark for AI in local government

Derby’s approach is grounded in a simple but ambitious idea: AI transformation only works when it is designed as an organisation-wide operating model, not a collection of disconnected tools.

Utilising ICS.AI's SMART: unified AI platform, Derby has:

• Launched the UK’s first 24/7 AI-powered local authority contact centre, providing residents with round-the-clock access to services

• Enabled universal AI access for staff, supporting productivity, confidence and new AI-native ways of working

• Embedded ethical governance directly into the platform, ensuring transparency, accountability and public trust by design

This model is delivering measurable results, with £12m in savings identified alongside improved access to services, reduced waiting times and better outcomes for residents.

Recognised by iESE

The iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards celebrate the most impactful and innovative work taking place across public services. Being named a finalist reflects the scale of Derby’s ambition and the real-world impact of its AI transformation programme.

The judges particularly look for initiatives that demonstrate innovation, measurable impact, quality of delivery and contribution to the wider sector. Derby’s work shows how councils can adopt AI responsibly and sustainably, while building internal capability and maintaining public trust.

Why this matters

Local government is under increasing pressure to deliver more with less. Derby’s journey demonstrates that AI, when implemented thoughtfully and ethically, can help councils improve services, support staff and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Crucially, the approach is replicable. By focusing on operating models, governance and skills, not just technology, Derby is helping to set a new standard for AI adoption across the sector.

What’s next

Finalists will be celebrated at the awards ceremony in March 2026. We are incredibly proud to see this work recognised and look forward to sharing more as the awards progress.

Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering this programme, and to all the other finalists doing outstanding work across public services.

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