Andrew Besford (@abesford) header
Andrew Besford (@abesford) profile picture

Andrew Besford

@abesford

Digital and technology. Non-exec director. Independent consultant. Government, NHS and telecoms.

 Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
andrewbesford.com
Joined October 2008
  • Tweets5.3K
  • Following1.4K
  • Followers2.2K
I fixed some local Google Maps errors after moving to a new area a few years ago. (Mainly prompted by seeing Deliveroo/Uber etc. going the wrong way.) Fascinated my tweaks have now had 1 million views.
Screenshot from Google Maps "Your contributions have 1 million views"

ALT Screenshot from Google Maps "Your contributions have 1 million views"

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Really looking forward to using all the "New feature 1"s in this latest over-the-air update for my car. Not doing much to build my confidence that the car industry can do software.
Software update screen on a car's in-dash display showing a template list of "New feature 1", "New feature 2", etc. which has not been completed.

ALT Software update screen on a car's in-dash display showing a template list of "New feature 1", "New feature 2", etc. which has not been completed.

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So this is where the Treasury’s permanent northern “economic campus” is set to be: Brunswick Street, an empty car park 10 minutes from Darlington city centre. Moving “up to” 300 Treasury roles to Darlington by 2025, and 1,100 civil servants in total. civilserviceworld.com/news/a…
Photo of a disused car park in Brunswick Street, Darlington, where the Darlington Economic Campus will be built.

ALT Photo of a disused car park in Brunswick Street, Darlington, where the Darlington Economic Campus will be built.

Great to be back in person at #dynamo22 with keynote from @NorthumbriaNHS chief exec Sir Jim Mackey about tech opportunities in healthcare @dynamonortheast @SunSoftCity ☀️
Image from Andrew Besford (@abesford)
Image from Andrew Besford (@abesford)
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Something of a classic over on LinkedIn just now. Doesn't give a great deal of confidence in their computer vision / automation / AI / ML...
Hi Andrew, I've seen that Northumbria Healthcare is hiring Head Porter. I'm Computer Vision/AI architect at [redacted], and curious how big is the potential to automate that job? We have developed and deployed a bunch of autonomous computer vision and ML powered solutions before. Let's connect!

ALT Hi Andrew, I've seen that Northumbria Healthcare is hiring Head Porter. I'm Computer Vision/AI architect at [redacted], and curious how big is the potential to automate that job? We have developed and deployed a bunch of autonomous computer vision and ML powered solutions before. Let's connect!

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Interesting to see 'operating models' has crept into this definition of digital
NHS Providers (now known as The NHS Alliance) (@NHSProviders) profile pictureNHS Providers (now known as The NHS Alliance)@NHSProviders18 Mar 2022
Today our #DigitalBoards programme is delivering it's 60th board session to @uhbwNHS - what a week for the Digital Boards team! @PublicDigitalHQ @NHS_HealthEdEng @NHSTransform To find out more about the programme, click here 👉 bit.ly/3N1tuKM
Image from NHS Providers (now known as The NHS Alliance) (@NHSProviders)
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I especially like this bit about "Sharing the vision" in the assessment for the Healthcare Leadership Model from @NHSLeadership leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/res…
Sharing the vision. What is it? Communicating a compelling and credible vision of the future in a way that makes it feel achievable and exciting. Why is it important? Leaders convey a vivid and attractive picture of what everyone is working towards in a clear, consistent and honest way, so that they inspire hope and help others to see how their work fits in. What is it not? Saying one thing and doing another. Talking about the vision but not working to achieve it. Being inconsistent in what you say. Avoiding the difficult messages.

ALT Sharing the vision. What is it? Communicating a compelling and credible vision of the future in a way that makes it feel achievable and exciting. Why is it important? Leaders convey a vivid and attractive picture of what everyone is working towards in a clear, consistent and honest way, so that they inspire hope and help others to see how their work fits in. What is it not? Saying one thing and doing another. Talking about the vision but not working to achieve it. Being inconsistent in what you say. Avoiding the difficult messages.

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Listening to another news report referring to the 1.25% increase in National Insurance. The main rate is increasing in April from 12.0% to 13.25%. That increase of 1.25 percentage points is a 10.4% increase...
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One of my favourite bits in this from Signal founder @moxie is "Even nerds do not want to run their own servers at this point."
Andrew Besford (@abesford) profile pictureAndrew Besford@abesford8 Jan 2022
Interesting discussion on what is being called web3, from someone who has actually tried building things. Doesn't sound quite as decentralised as promised. Also great NFT-turns-to-💩-emoji experiment.
Interesting discussion on what is being called web3, from someone who has actually tried building things. Doesn't sound quite as decentralised as promised. Also great NFT-turns-to-💩-emoji experiment.
Moxie Marlinspike (@moxie) profile pictureMoxie Marlinspike
@moxie7 Jan 2022
Wrote some notes summarizing my first impressions of web3: moxie.org/2022/01/07/web3-fi…

My first impressions of web3

Despite considering myself a cryptographer, I have not found myself particularly drawn to “crypto.” I don’t think I’ve ever actually said the words “get off my lawn,” but I’m much more likely to...

moxie.org
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Good to see @globegov digging into barriers to successful digital change. Global themes emerging around - creating and implementing a vision; investment and project funding; and leadership and capabilities.
Richard Johnstone (@RichRJohnstone) profile pictureRichard Johnstone@RichRJohnstone5 Jan 2022
Global report reveals senior officials lack understanding to drive digital transformation of government globalgovernmentforum.com/gl… via @globegov
Top public officials ‘lack understanding to drive digital transformation’

Top public officials ‘lack understanding to drive digital transformation’

Report shares key lessons for adopting government to the digital age, including the need for digital ID systems and quality data management.

globalgovernmentforum.com
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Head-to-head trial comparing decisions with/without AI to accurately detect Coronary Artery Disease. So much going on in healthcare for digital/data/tech people to get excited about. And a UK first for @NorthumbriaNHS #ai #healthtech
NorthumbriaNHS (@NorthumbriaNHS) profile pictureNorthumbriaNHS@NorthumbriaNHS31 Dec 2021
We're #proud to be leading the way in using cutting edge #AI to help diagnose heart disease. READ MORE ▶️ bit.ly/32B20ZO @ultromics
Image from NorthumbriaNHS (@NorthumbriaNHS)
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You know you worked with a fab team when 5 years on, a WhatsApp group pops up on Christmas Eve with silly rhymes about what went well (and maybe a little less well) in your adventures together
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Andrew Besford retweeted
Jerry Fishenden (@ntouk) profile picture
Jerry Fishenden
@ntouk10 Dec 2021
the @CommonsPAC has just published a useful new report on “Challenges in implementing digital change” “Depts have failed to understand the difference between improving what currently exists and real digital transformation” Here’s my quick take ntouk.wordpress.com/2021/12/…
“Dysfunctional, damaging and sometimes dangerous”

“Dysfunctional, damaging and sometimes dangerous”

“Dysfunctional, damaging and sometimes dangerous” That’s how the Public Accounts Committee describes government technology in the press release that accompanies their latest repor…

ntouk.wordpress.com
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Andrew Besford retweeted
Per Axbom (@axbom) profile picture
Per Axbom@axbom5 Dec 2021
When you look at the most common world map you are looking at a tool for navigation. As a tool for understanding what the world looks like it is awful. When we use tools in any profession we need to understand their limitations. The world map is my go-to example. Thread ->
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📢Head of Digital 💰£50,000 ⏰6th Jan We're looking for someone to drive growth in the digital sector and devise & deliver innovation support to #NorthofTyne SMEs as part of a NEW programme. Apply now: supernetwork.org.uk/head-of-… @AHSN_NENC @NorthTyneCA
Image from Dynamo North East (@dynamonortheast)
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Find out more about @NorthumbriaNHS winning submission to the #FTSU Organisation of the year #hsjawards and how Kirsty Dickson’s proactive work has been weaving Freedom to Speak Up into the fabric of the organisation. @HSJ_Awards @freedomtospea10 nationalguardian.org.uk/case…
Weaving Freedom to Speak Up into the fabric of the whole organisation - National Guardian's Office

Weaving Freedom to Speak Up into the fabric of the whole organisation - National Guardian's Office

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust were awarded the Freedom to Speak Up Organisation of the Year Award at the 2021 HSJ Awards with their demonstration of an integrated approach to speaking...

nationalguardian.org.uk
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WooHoo! 👏 We're thrilled to announce that we've won the Freedom to Speak Up category @HSJ_Awards last night. We're so #proud of the team for their role in supporting staff in raising genuine concerns about their work.🏆 Huge #WellDone.
Image from NorthumbriaNHS (@NorthumbriaNHS)
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Incredibly proud of my @NorthumbriaNHS colleagues for winning at last night's #HSJAwards. National recognition for great work on Freedom to Speak Up which reaches right across the organisation with real purpose 💙🎉
Image from Andrew Besford (@abesford)
Image from Andrew Besford (@abesford)
Image from Andrew Besford (@abesford)
Image from Andrew Besford (@abesford)
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Also we got to meet @sueperkins who is brilliant
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