LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Scrumconnect, in a strategic partnership with London-based Olive Jar Digital, is set to deliver critical data capabilities to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through a new two-year contract valued at up to £15.6 million. This significant engagement is focused on strengthening the DWP’s Data Practice by deploying specialist teams who are already delivering across high-impact roles. The collaboration is a key step in helping the DWP make better use of its data to improve services for millions of UK citizens.
Scrumconnect and Olive Jar have begun deploying a range of Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) professionals, including data engineers, analysts, data protection specialists, data scientists, and performance analysts. These experts are working directly within DWP Digital to enhance how data is captured, governed, transformed, and applied across one of the UK’s largest public service portfolios. This work directly supports the DWP’s ambition to create more responsive, evidence-led services that are meticulously shaped around the needs of citizens.
Olive Jar Digital brings to the partnership its strong expertise in sourcing high-quality DDaT talent and delivering agile, user-focused solutions. Its contribution is a reflection of a shared commitment to impactful, collaborative delivery that drives digital transformation across the UK government.
Scrumconnect adds its extensive track record of helping public sector teams build lasting data capabilities. The company’s delivery model prioritizes flexibility, accountability, and deep domain expertise, a formula that has enabled government departments to reduce risk, accelerate delivery, and achieve tangible outcomes. Scrumconnect is currently active in 16 of the top-75 government services identified by the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), with a history of successful engagements with DWP, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, the Home Office, and the Department for Education.
“This contract win is a significant step forward in strengthening the Data Practice within DWP Digital,” said Rajesh Thakrar, founding director at Olive Jar Digital. “It enables the delivery of critical DDaT roles that are driving data-led innovation and improving public services. Our mission is to support this kind of transformation through expert capability and collaboration.”
Fay Cooper, chief product officer at Scrumconnect, added, “We’re proud to be working side-by-side with DWP to embed the kind of data capability that creates lasting value. As a long-standing digital transformation partner to DWP, we’re applying our ethos of partnership rather than just filling roles. It means that we’re building skilled, resilient teams that understand the complexity of public service delivery and who will be equipped to drive great outcomes long after our work is done.”
The DWP’s Data Practice is vital to shaping and improving services, as it holds some of the most comprehensive datasets on UK society. These insights are used to guide policy, target interventions, and improve outcomes for the public. Through this engagement, Scrumconnect and Olive Jar are helping to unlock this value by embedding specialist teams who are experts in governing, modeling, and applying data in real-world scenarios. This also includes supporting the DWP’s exploration of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to further enhance public services.
In addition to this engagement, the partnership is also fueling further growth at Scrumconnect’s Newcastle delivery center. The company is actively investing in regional capabilities by creating new roles in delivery, engineering, and data specialisms, with the goal of building highly skilled teams that will contribute to long-term public service outcomes.
Interesting Industry Facts
- The UK government is a significant driver of the digital transformation market, with spending on IT and digital services projected to exceed $20 billion by 2025.
- Public sector organizations are increasingly leveraging partnerships with specialized firms to gain access to niche DDaT skills, as these roles are crucial for modernizing citizen-facing services.
- The adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics in government services is growing, with a focus on improving efficiency, personalizing services, and making data-driven policy decisions.
- Newcastle has emerged as a major tech hub in the UK, with significant investment from both the public and private sectors in building a skilled workforce for the digital economy.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
David Clark
Scrumconnect
+44 20 4577 0210
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