Data innovation for local impact: Five minutes with Greater Manchester’s Christopher Pope
This interview with Christopher Pope, head of data research, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is part of a ‘Five minutes’ series featuring speakers from Public Service Data Live, taking place in London on 19 September.
What are you most interested in discussing at Public Service Data Live 2024?
How can we change the culture in the public sector to consider good quality data and information as a main output, alongside our work?
What drew you to a career working in public service?
Technically, I didn’t start fully in the public sector. When I first left university, I wanted to use my development economics degree, but within a local setting. I always wanted to live and contribute to my home city.
At the time, the organisation I applied for – Manchester Enterprises – wasn’t public sector, but gradually over time became part of what is now the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. For me, it wasn’t about public sector or not; it was about how I can help to develop where I live, and use my knowledge and skills to that end.
The public sector has become the natural fit, and we have a strong, proactive and determined public sector here in Greater Manchester that has that vision too.
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What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your working life?
One of my earliest managers introduced me to Occam’s razor, which suggests that the simplest solution is often the best. For example, if two pieces of software do the same thing, the one with the least code is perhaps the one to use. You can apply this to research and policymaking too – although life is complex, making shorter, simpler interventions that have bigger impacts is often better than large-scale overhauls.
How might public services be different in 25 years’ time?
A lot of people are likely to say AI will make the biggest impact. I’m not so sure. I think we’re certainly on the upwards trajectory of the Gartner hype curve, but the overall impact in the long run will be on making some of the processes we do every day a little quicker or smoother.
Instead, I see the biggest difference in the next 25 years to be around how policy, data and services are delivered, with more areas seeing the value of joint working and collaboration at a sub-regional level.
What do you like most about public service work?
Even in the world of research and data and information governance, you can see how our work ripples out to change people’s lives for the better.
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Are there any projects or innovations in your country that might be valuable to your peers overseas?
We have taken more of an index approach to considering and understanding multi-faceted issues like digital exclusion as a first look. Indices have their place – they shouldn’t be relied on for supporting all policy decisions, but they are helpful as another tool in your toolbox. With tools like our Digital Exclusion Risk Index, we are able to show not just the overall likelihood of digital exclusion, but by making the data available and accessible we can also show what drives that digital exclusion within an area.
Are there data innovations from other countries that have inspired you?
Not necessarily an innovation, but I really like the Australia and New Zealand Investment Pipeline. The aim of this is to show, across the two countries, the big upcoming, new and existing infrastructure investments in simple, clear terms. It gives you an opportunity to see what is being invested in, where, how much is being invested, and for contractors, how to bid for sections of work.
Having a consistent data schema, a consistent way of presenting information, and a clear and open process is a really interesting way of showing the national and international investment.
Do you have any unusual hobbies?
I wouldn’t say it’s a hobby as such, or unusual, but if I am going somewhere on holiday, I like to buy a guidebook before I go and organise a trip to the place pictured on the front cover, so I can take a picture of myself holding the book there.
OK, that is unusual.
What is your favourite book?
Without a doubt, it’s The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. There are so many plots, sub-plots, stories within stories. I’ve read it through about five times, and I find something new I missed last time every time I read it.
Who is your hero?
Although I should really say one of my parents or my wife, I’m going to go with Steve Irwin.
At Public Service Data Live, Pope will take part in a panel discussion on the Ada Lovelace stage on the topic of improving how government uses data to make better decisions. He will be joined by Puja Myles, director, Clinical Practice Research Datalink, Safety and Surveillance Group, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; Sue Bateman, chief data officer, Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture; Laurie Thraves, head of the National Situation Centre, Cabinet Office; and Neil McIvor, head of data for public services, esynergy.
Public Service Data Live
The second Public Service Data Live annual conference, held at the Business Design Centre in London, will hear from leaders from across the UK government and wider public sector on how to improve the way data and AI are used in the public service.
Sessions will include a keynote address from Craig Suckling, the chief data officer of the UK government to open the day, as well as a closing session on the next steps for government transformation, with speakers including Sarah Munby, the permanent secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Speakers across the conference will also include Mark Durkee, head of data and technology, Responsible Technology Adoption Unit, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Daljit Rehal, chief digital and information officer, HM Revenue and Customs; Laura Gilbert, chief analyst and director of data science, 10 Downing Street; and Jenny Brooker, chief data architect, Central Digital and Data Office.
The event is free to attend for civil servants, public servants and those working in the wider public sector.
About Sarah Wray
Sarah has over 15 years’ experience as a journalist with a specialism in the public sector and topics such as digitalisation and climate action. Sarah was formerly the editor of Cities Today and Smart Cities World, as well as a specialist video-based publication in the aerospace sector. She has also written for publications including Smart Cities Dive, Mobile Europe, Mobile World Live and Computer Weekly.
