Doing more with less
Opencast HQ, Hoults Yard

Overview
At a time where resources and budgets are coming under more pressure, how can we deliver more with less – or even the same with less? And how can we stay focused on outcomes with real impact?
Doing more with less is a panel discussion about how to address the challenges many organisations face around delivering technology solutions against a backdrop of limited resources. The panel will discuss the solutions that are available, including whether AI can help, how repeatable solutions like ‘scaffolding' make delivery more streamlined and how teams can continue to deliver impact.
Speakers
- Hayley Addison, Deputy Director and Head of Payments, DWP Digital
- David Sarginson, Head of Architecture and Engineering, Opencast
- Henry Rex, Government Relations Director, Opencast (moderator)
Opencast is registering guests for its 2025 TechNExt fringe sessions on its own Eventbrite channel via the form below. These bookings won't appear on your personal TechNExt dashboard schedule but you will receive emails from Opencast with details about the event, travel and parking arrangements and reminders before the session.
Speakers

Hayley has worked at DWP Digital for 10 years and previously led the implementation of the award-winning intelligent automation function. Prior to that she was involved with digital through a different lens, supporting the department with its commercial needs and roadmaps as a commercial specialist in DWP.

‘Sarg’ is responsible for ensuring Opencast has the right capabilities to create bespoke software solutions that deliver the right outcomes for clients and their end users. He enables Opencast’s consultants to deliver quality outputs by forming high-performing teams of professionals who create accessible digital services that have real positive impact.
He loves programming and is a signatory to the agile and software craftsmanship manifestos. He is proud to be a guest university lecturer. He brings a passion, drive and clarity of speaking and intent that helps convey often-complex projects to wider audiences.
Sarg was born in the North East and graduated in 2003 with a first-class degree in computing for business and IT from Northumbria University.

Henry previously worked in the central government team at Microsoft.
Before joining Microsoft he worked for techUK, running its government and health programmes. His role was to build relationships with government departments to get them engaging with the market more strategically, helping government become a more intelligent client for tech and make the most of the innovation across techUK’s membership, from large suppliers to the smallest SMEs.
For the past two years he has been proud to serve as vice chair of techUK’s central government council, working on behalf of members to help improve the partnership between government and industry.
Before techUK Henry worked for the University of Cambridge, building mechanisms for academic expertise to inform government policy making.
Registration
Registration
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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk