Martin Ferguson

Martin leads Socitm’s policy and research programme with its strong focus on harnessing digital – cultures, processes, business models and technologies – to achieve better outcomes for people, communities and places. Current work spans ethical and secure use of technologies and data, service design and transformation, regeneration, sustainability and connectivity, and leadership, diversity and skills.

A graduate of the Universities of Wales, Waterloo (Canada) and Birmingham, his local government career spans planning, environment, housing, leisure and recreation, IT, policy and communications. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a founder member of the Linked Organisation of Local Authority ICT Societies, a member of Major Cities of Europe’s Organising Committee, programme manager for Socitm’s UK Local CIO Council and a past President of Socitm.

In Brazil and central Asia, he has led work on the British Council’s e-governance programmes. He has served as an associate lecturer for the University of Birmingham’s Public Service MBA in the UK and Hong Kong, a senior lecturer for the Open University Business School and an external examiner for Henley Business School. Currently, he sits on industry advisory boards for the Universities of Hertfordshire and Kingston, and is a Trustee for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care