Something Cool - UK GovCamp - The event that is reshaping the UK Public Service

What happens when you take away the agenda, the speakers, and the carefully curated programme—and just let public servants talk? In this episode, I dive into UKGovCamp, one of the most unusual—and surprisingly effective—events in the world of public service. It’s an unconference: no preset sessions, no keynotes, and no guarantees, other than the fact that you’ll end up in thoughtful, sometimes messy, often brilliant conversations with people who care deeply about making government work better. UKGovCamp is chaotic by design. But it’s also incredibly well-orchestrated—and that tension is exactly what makes it work. I’m joined by James Cattell, one of the key people behind UKGovCamp, to unpack how this model came to be, why it’s lasted, and what it gets right that more traditional conferences often miss. We talk about trust, curiosity, community, and why creating the right conditions matters more than controlling outcomes. If you’re interested in better ways of bringing public servants together—and what this could mean for the future of government—this conversation is for you.