Introduction
Across the public sector, the importance of clear, consistent information standards has never been more widely recognised. Without shared standards, we limit our ability to communicate, collaborate and deliver services effectively. Interoperable data standards underpin successful service reform, digital transformation and smarter decision‑making.
iStandUK, part of the wider iNetwork family and governed by its own board, plays a key role in this mission. As with iNetwork, Tameside Council acts as the accountable body for the programme.
Our mission is to promote and develop data standards that enable more efficient, transparent and transformative local public services across the UK. Our Executive board brings together representatives from local authorities, central government departments and key sector bodies including the ODI, LGA, and techUK.
The year ahead is a particularly exciting one for iStandUK. The stewardship of the Open Referral UK (ORUK) data standards will formally transfer to iStandUK, and we will focus on driving national take‑up and adoption across the sector. This marks a significant expansion of our remit and a major opportunity to strengthen consistency in how service directories are shared and used nationwide.
Meanwhile, a central focus of the 2026/27 programme remains the continued delivery, adoption and scale‑up of the Local Digital‑funded Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability (SAVVI) programme. SAVVI aims to define and promote national data standards that help local areas better identify, understand and support vulnerable individuals and households, ensuring that services can respond in a more joined-up, intelligence‑led way.
Priorities and Objectives for 2026-27
Secure Data Sharing: iStandUK will support data sharing scenarios such as a ‘single view’ of vulnerable people and households. This will include standards for data, APIs, Information Governance, and trusted networks, as well as working with key data sources to make data available for re-use.
Digital Capability: iStandUK will work with partners and Departments to define a set of digital capabilities such as Digital Identity. Standards for these Capabilities will create choice and innovation for digital products and services.
iStandUK has now launched its new project SAVVI. SAVVI, which stands for Scalable Approach to Vulnerability Via Interoperability, is a transformative approach that enables councils and their partners to proactively identify and support vulnerable people before they reach crisis point; not just when they’re facing the consequences.
The iStandUK Executive Board
The iStandUK Executive Board consists of iStandUK members who are leading practitioners in their field. The board serves as both a programme board and a leadership forum for collaboration across the local public sector. The members for the iStandUK Executive Board are:
iStandUK Executive Board Members
Alistair Herbert, East Sussex Council
Andrea Fitzgerald, Crown Commercial Services (CCS)
Andrew Newman, The ODI
Beata Lisowska, NHS England
Ben Cheetham, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
Dave Sanderson, Society for Innovation Technology and Modernisation (SOCITM)
David Wright, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Emily Sullivan, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)
Firoze Salim, Data Standards Authority (DSIT), (GDS)
Georgina Maretheftis, techUK
John Curtis, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) (Deputy Co-Chair)
Kate Cooper, Local Government Association (LGA)
Kieran Smith, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Laura Sato, NHS England
Lewis Greenwood, Wigan Council
Mair Laurence- Mathews, Department of Health and Social Care
Mark Peterson, North Yorkshire Council (Chair)
Paul Davidson, iStandUK (Tameside MBC)
Phil Swan, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Ridhwaan Hafezji, Tameside MBC
Robert Ling, Central Bedfordshire Council
Scott Littlewood, Tameside MBC
Shelley Heckman, iNetwork
Shona Nicol, The Scottish Government
Simon Roberts, Improvement Service
Stephen Curtis, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, (Deputy Co-Chair)
Steve Peters, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
Programme Director & Director of Standards
Paul Davidson
iStandUK Programme Director
Director of Standards
For advice, guidance and support in this area, please contact the lead for the iStandUK programme.