Julian Patmore, Peterborough City Council's Service Director for Digital and Customer Access, has been named as one of the country’s top AI leaders.
Julian was nominated for the Foundever AI 100 UK 2026 in recognition of his vision and leadership in transforming how local government can use artificial intelligence to improve services for both staff and residents.
Last Friday (16 October), it was announced that he had been ranked as number four in the public sector category and number seven overall, at a ceremony at the House of Lords. He is the only person from local government to make it onto the list.
Under Julian's leadership of the council's overall AI strategy, Peterborough has taken a joined-up approach to adopting AI, rather than leaving it to individual departments.
This has created the conditions for innovations such as Hey Geraldine and the Bridgit app, developed by Adult Services, which are making a real difference to residents.
Hey Geraldine is an AI chatbot developed using the knowledge of Geraldine Jinks, a therapy practitioner in the council's Adult Social Care team, to guide staff through assistive technology options to free up occupational therapists for more complex cases.
The Bridgit Carer App offers a one-stop, AI-driven platform for unpaid carers, simplifying access to support and advice. Unpaid carers report that Brigit provides practical advice concisely, is accessible, especially during evenings and weekends and trust the app and feel comfortable engaging with it as it is from the council.
Alongside this, Julian is championing an open-source integrated front door that other councils are being encouraged to adopt and co-develop. This is a new way for councils to manage customer enquiries and access to information which requires less involvement from council staff and a quicker and more accessible service for the public.
The council's OSCAR workforce tool is also now live, helping staff work more efficiently. OSCAR helps staff with simple tasks such as finding emails or documents and querying data, quicker than they could do so manually. In time, staff will be able to use the tool to translate documents and edit or redact PDFs, amongst other things. Julian's work also includes using AI in contract management and supporting the government on its Minute tool, which uses AI to transcribe recorded meetings, interviews, or live audio/video.
Julian said: "It's an honour to be named in the AI 100 UK, ranked fourth in the public sector category and seventh overall, and as the only person from local government on the list. But I couldn't have done it alone. I'm grateful to my brilliant team at Peterborough City Council, who turn ideas into real improvements for our residents and colleagues, to our senior leadership and elected members for their trust and support.
"Local government has a huge opportunity to use AI responsibly and practically to improve the services we deliver, and I'm proud to be flying the flag for the sector."
Councillor Mohammed Jamil, Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Julian and our council, and we are all very proud of him.
"His work goes beyond Peterborough, championing a national approach for how councils can adopt AI responsibly, collaboratively and at scale.
"The goal is to help local authorities deliver better services, empower staff with modern digital tools, and embrace AI in a flexible, scalable and responsible way.
"His passion for innovation has helped establish Peterborough as a truly forward-thinking council, and much of that comes from his belief that we achieve more when we work together."
The AI 100 is a national programme that highlights leaders, innovators and changemakers who are helping organisations harness AI to deliver meaningful benefits and drive positive change. Find out more here: https://awards.digileaders.com/FoundeverAI100UK2026