Karl Hoods CBE announces Integrated Corporate Services Digital, driving innovation in the Civil Service.
This unique opportunity allowed for the consolidation of several key functions – Commercial, Digital, Estates, Finance, Human Resources, and Security – into a single, integrated entity. This consolidation marks a first-of-its-kind initiative, providing a chance to fundamentally rethink and enhance core service delivery, ensuring they are robust and future-proofed for the evolving needs of the Civil Service.
ICS is a strategic move towards building a future-ready Civil Service. This vision involves significant investment in upskilling the workforce, equipping individuals with cutting-edge tools to foster innovation, and empowering staff to embrace calculated risks. By streamlining processes and reducing unnecessary layers of hierarchy and bureaucracy, ICS aims to cultivate a more agile and efficient operational environment.
Building a Future-Forward Framework
The core mission of Integrated Corporate Services is clearly defined: “To provide high-quality, expert and efficient corporate services that enable our departments to deliver for the public.” This mission statement underscores a commitment to excellence and public service.
Within ICS Digital, a specialized team is dedicated to the seamless implementation of a new Target Operating Model. This team is instrumental in defining the model’s parameters, outlining its operational mechanics, and collaborating with digital experts across departments to integrate these innovative working methodologies.
This approach not only embeds agile and design-centric processes but also strategically leverages the existing wealth of expertise within the department. A strong emphasis is placed on meticulous documentation throughout the implementation process, coupled with regular ‘show and tells’ to promote transparency and encourage broad participation from interested colleagues.
ICS Digital: Core Values
As specialists in digital and data, ICS Digital operates as advisors, guides, and delivery partners, committed to achieving optimal outcomes for both internal and external stakeholders. This commitment is underpinned by a set of core values:
- A Cohesive Digital Community: Fostering open collaboration, collective problem-solving, and inclusive participation from colleagues across all disciplines and locations.
- User-Focused Approach: Designing accessible services rooted in thorough user research, ensuring that the needs of both internal teams and external customers are effectively met.
- Empowerment to Deliver: Placing trust in the expertise of teams and empowering them to make informed decisions and drive impactful results.
Launching Our New Blog Platform
While ICS Digital is focused on achieving significant advancements and fostering a dynamic work environment, effective communication is key. This is why the new blog platform is launched – to ensure transparency and keep everyone informed about the ongoing developments within ICS Digital.
For instance, many may not be aware that DSIT’s responsibilities extend beyond AI policy to championing innovation across all functions. In line with this, ICS Digital is actively collaborating with DSIT colleagues to explore the application of AI and automation to simplify routine tasks across various projects.
This blog is designed to provide regular updates – monthly or more frequently – on the exciting projects underway, the exploration of new technologies, the factors that make ICS Digital a great place to work, and the challenges encountered and overcome.
The goal is to initiate conversations, encourage collaboration, share insights, and learn from the experiences of others in addressing similar challenges. Readers are encouraged to engage with the blog, subscribe for updates, and stay connected with the ICS Digital community.
