AI Strategy, Enablement & Governance for UK Public Sector
From readiness to adoption to long-term value. Independent advisory for public sector organisations navigating AI with confidence.
25+ years of public sector digital transformation. 200+ programmes delivered across local government, health, policing and central government. We don't sell technology. We help organisations adopt it properly and sustain value from it.
AI Is Not Just a Technology Decision
AI adoption is accelerating across UK public sector. But successful adoption requires more than choosing the right tool. It requires strategic clarity, organisational readiness, structured governance, defensible procurement and a plan for what happens after go-live.
Cube8 works across the full AI adoption lifecycle. We are an independent consultancy.
The Cube8 AI Enablement Lifecycle
Five phases. One structured approach. Not every engagement covers all five. We scope to the situation.
Readiness & Strategy
Assess where AI can create value. Define strategy. Build executive understanding.
Governance & Policy
Establish AI Acceptable Use Policies, risk frameworks, governance operating models and regulatory alignment using the Cube8 SAGF.
Procurement & Vendor Engagement
Structure procurement to be transparent, evaluation-led and audit-ready. Fully independent of all vendors.
Deployment Assurance
Provide independent governance oversight during supplier delivery. Validate that risk controls and transparency commitments are met in practice.
Post-Implementation & Sustained Value
Measure outcomes. Maintain governance. Support scaling and retirement decisions. Deliver ongoing board-ready reporting.
Cube8 Structured AI Governance Framework
Six governance domains. The six faces of the Cube8 assessment model. Scored against a five-level maturity scale.
Strategic Alignment
Is there a defined AI strategy connected to service outcomes and public value?
Governance Architecture
Are oversight structures, ownership and steering mechanisms in place and functioning?
Policy & Acceptable Use
Are AI Acceptable Use Policies defined, communicated and enforced?
Risk & Regulatory
Are AI risks classified, mapped and aligned to UK/EU regulatory requirements?
Procurement & Supplier
Are AI procurements structured with AI-specific evaluation criteria and independent oversight?
Value & Lifecycle
Are deployed AI systems measured against strategic objectives with active lifecycle governance?
SAGF Maturity Scale
Modular Engagements Across the AI Lifecycle
Each service stands alone or combines into a longer-term engagement. Every piece of work is scoped to the organisation.
A structured leadership programme that builds AI literacy, strategic understanding and governance capability. Covers how AI works in plain terms, where value lies in public services, risk categories, governance structures, UK/EU regulatory landscape, procurement defensibility and what a credible AI strategy looks like.
Delivery formats
4 consecutive days / 2+2 days / 4 standalone days / 8 half-day sessions
Board-ready deliverables
AI literacy assessment report. Executive briefing pack. Strategic opportunity map. Governance readiness checklist. Recommended next steps document.
An independent assessment of AI readiness, strategic positioning, governance maturity and risk exposure, scored against the Cube8 SAGF. Strategy alignment, active and shadow AI use cases, organisational readiness, governance maturity, risk classification, regulatory alignment, procurement readiness and control gaps.
Delivery format
Typically 3–6 weeks. Combines stakeholder interviews, document review, technical assessment and SAGF scoring. Delivered on-site and remotely.
Board-ready deliverables
Executive findings report. SAGF maturity scorecard. AI risk exposure map. Prioritised remediation plan. 12-month strategy and governance roadmap.
Independent governance oversight of AI procurement, from requirements through to contract award. We define governance and assurance requirements, build evaluation frameworks, score suppliers on AI-specific risk and embed post-award governance expectations into contracts. Cube8 takes no fees, commissions or referrals from any supplier.
Delivery format
Embedded advisory throughout the procurement lifecycle. Duration mirrors the procurement timeline, typically 2–6 months. Participation in evaluation panels, moderation sessions and governance boards.
Board-ready deliverables
AI-specific evaluation framework. Supplier risk assessment matrix. Governance and transparency requirements schedule. Post-award assurance plan. Procurement decision audit trail.
Independent governance oversight of deployed AI systems, focused on value, risk and ongoing compliance. We validate risk controls and transparency commitments in practice, measure outcomes against the original strategy and advise on model lifecycle, scaling and retirement decisions.
Delivery format
Point-in-time reviews (single system, 2–3 weeks), quarterly assurance cycles, or milestone-based programme oversight aligned to your delivery plan.
Board-ready deliverables
Post-implementation governance report. Value realisation assessment against original business case. Risk control validation log. Model lifecycle recommendation (scale, iterate or retire). Executive assurance summary.
Retained AI Leadership
Structured retainer covering strategy, governance, risk and enablement. SAGF scorecard maintained throughout. 6-month minimum commitment.
All retainers include strategy development, AI Acceptable Use Policy, Risk & Control Framework, steering committee participation, value reporting and procurement oversight. 6-month minimum commitment.
Before and After Cube8
Before Cube8
- No clear AI strategy
- Tools adopted without governance
- No readiness assessment
- Procurement without structured criteria
- Policy gaps across the organisation
- Executive teams unable to articulate approach under scrutiny
After Cube8
- AI strategy defined and aligned to outcomes
- SAGF maturity scored and benchmarked
- Governance ownership clear
- Procurement audit-ready with board-ready documentation
- Policies implemented and operational
- Post-implementation assurance in place
Who We Work With
Public Sector Procurement Routes
Cube8 is available for procurement via established public sector frameworks. We can also engage via direct award, single tender action or IR35-compliant statement of work.
Sector Expertise & Credentials
Deep public sector experience, backed by recognised professional certifications.
Public Sector Experience
Our founding principal brings 25+ years of public sector digital transformation leadership, with over 200+ programmes delivered across local government, health, policing and central government. Our team is drawn from the same background: senior practitioners who understand governance, procurement and accountability from the inside.
Leadership Capability
Our team operates at the level your leadership expects. We align directly with CTO, CIO, CISO, CAIO, COO, CDO and CFO functions, speaking the language of strategy, risk, governance and value. We bring in specialist associates where engagements require additional depth, but every piece of work is led by senior practitioners who have held leadership positions within public services.
Professional Certifications
Industry-recognised credentials in security, AI governance and cloud architecture:
Independence
Cube8 is a fully independent consultancy. We do not resell technology, implement platforms or take commission from vendors. Our advice is always in the interest of the organisation, not a supplier relationship.
Start With a Conversation
Every engagement begins with a scoping call. No obligation, no pitch. We assess where your organisation is and whether Cube8 is the right fit.
Contact Cube8
Reach out by email or use the form and we will respond within one working day.
hello@cube8.co.uk LinkedIn