Introducing Joe Bedingfield – Strategic Technical Advisor, DDaT

Hello Luton👋

I’m Joe Bedingfield and I’m really pleased to be joining Luton Council. I thought I’d take the opportunity to introduce myself properly so you know a bit more about the person behind the role.

I’ve joined the DDaT team as a strategic technical advisor, where I’ll be supporting the head of technology and infrastructure across a number of projects and initiatives. I’m excited to be here and to contribute to the important work already underway across the council.

A bit about my background

I’ve spent the last 25 years working in local government ICT, across:

Huntingdonshire District Council (where I live)
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Cambridge City Council

I started my career in website development before moving on to leading a digital team and, for the past five years, I worked as deputy head of ICT, overseeing:

information governance
technical architecture
digital development

A key part of my recent experience has been working to establish and mature a shared ICT service across three councils. This involved:

bringing teams, systems and ways of working together
creating shared standards and architectures
supporting collaboration at scale
ensuring services remained resilient, secure and focused on user needs

That experience has given me a strong appreciation of the challenges and opportunities that come with:

partnership working
shared services
operating in complex local government environments

What motivates me

My ultimate goal is simple: to make life easier for the residents of Luton. I’m particularly motivated by work that:

improves access to services
removes unnecessary complexity
makes systems more reliable, secure and user‑focused

I’m really looking forward to working with colleagues across the council to support the push towards Luton’s ambitious 2040 vision, helping ensure that digital, data and technology foundations enable long‑term, sustainable change.

How I like to work

I’m interested in how strategy, architecture and delivery come together in practice. For me, successful digital change is about:

clear direction and pragmatism
strong technical foundations
collaboration across teams and organisations
keeping residents and services at the centre of decision‑making

I’m keen to learn from the expertise already within Luton and to support teams in turning good ideas into practical, deliverable outcomes.

A few quick facts about me

☕ Coffee enthusiast
Always happy to hear recommendations for a great coffee — especially near the office.

🏠 Home automation tinkerer
I enjoy dabbling with Home Assistant, home solar and battery systems, and generally making technology work smarter at home.

🚴 Cyclist
Any kind, any excuse — road, trail or just getting from A to B.

💻 Technology and architecture minded
I enjoy thinking about how systems fit together and how to make them simpler, more resilient and easier to use.

🏛️ Local government lifer
Still genuinely motivated by the difference good public services can make to people’s lives.

🤝 Looking forward to meeting everyone
Starting somewhere new is always energising, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know colleagues across DDaT and the wider council.

If we cross paths in the office or in meetings, please do say hello — and feel free to reach out.

Looking forward to working with you all,
Joe