A Digital Champion is an internal advocate for smarter and more efficient digital working. Champions act as agents of change helping colleagues:

• improve their skills
• adopt new tools
• embed modern, consistent ways of working

Our champions are curious, open to learning, enthusiastic about new technology, and proactive in sharing knowledge with others. They don’t need to be technical experts - just motivated, supportive, and keen to help their teams work better.

How Digital Champions drive innovation

Our Digital Champions Programme accelerates digital adoption and innovation across the organisation. Originally launched with 40 volunteers, the network has grown to 500 champions supporting colleagues, resolving digital queries locally, and driving cultural change.

You can watch a video of our Director of IT & Programmes Sarah Chamberlain explaining how Digital Champions drives innovation.

We recognised that digital transformation requires skills, confidence, and culture, not just new technology. Champions act as mentors, first responders, and advocates for smarter, more efficient ways of working.

The impact has been significant as due to the programme:

• 57 hours of work are saved weekly and £68,000 saved in annual efficiencies
• 80% of digital queries are resolved within teams
• we have faster processes, including automated reporting and fraud tracking
• we have stronger collaboration, innovation, and peer‑led learning

Now entering our sixth year the programme continues to expand through refresher training, re‑engagement, and insights from a digital maturity survey. Champions remain key to driving a digital‑first, innovative, and confident workforce across our organisation.