As the public sector goes through its toughest period in decades, its IT leaders are among those facing unprecedented challenges.
It's not just about harnessing technology, but responding to the harsh financial climate, exerting influence in the boardroom and convincing staff of the virtues of change – a mixed bag of demands that provide a stiff test for anyone but enables the real leaders to show their mettle.
It is a daunting challenge, but there are also opportunities for public sector officials who are ready to show initiative in developing solutions and lead their implementation.
In support of the people facing these challenges, Guardian Government Computing is staging an online debate on the subject on Tuesday 17 May, running from 1.00-3.00 pm. A panel of experts in the field will be ready to respond to your questions, provide their own perspectives, and engage in a two-way dialogue on how to deal with the issues are taxing IT leaders in the public sector.
This provides an opportunity to gain some valuable insights and exchange ideas with others facing similar challenges.
Our panel is as follows:
- Vlatka Hlupic-Vidjak,professor of business and management, Westminster Business School
- John Castledine, director of Learning Solutions at the Institute for Leadership and Management
- Ron McClaren, chief operating officer, Skills for the Information Age
- Joe Simpson, director of politics and partnerships, Local Government Leadership
- Carl Haggerty is an enterprise architect at Devon county council
- Damian Saunders, director, data centre and cloud group, Citrix
- Chirag Daiya, systems engineer at Fortinet
Our panel will be available from 1.00, but feel free to register with guardian.co.uk and submit questions in advance through our comments box below.
