16th January 2023 - LONDON - PUBLIC, founded by ex-Downing Street advisor Daniel Korski and venture investor Alexander De Carvalho, today announced the appointment of a new group-level Chief Operating Officer (COO) and UK Managing Director, strengthening senior leadership to lead the company’s next phase of growth as a go-to digital partner for governments.

Taking on the role of COO, ex-Google executive Rona Harvey will help lead the group - which includes PUBLIC UK, PUBLIC Germany, Eva Healthcare Technologies and the joint venture with PwC GovMarket GmbH - expanding her leadership responsibilities since joining the firm last year. Rona has focused the organisation on scaling sustainably, systemising operations, providing greater financial rigour, and standing up equitable and inclusive processes. 

Rona Harvey, COO of PUBLIC Group said: “I am excited to step into the group-level COO role and work to ensure that all of PUBLIC’s businesses become the leading destination for governments, helping them to deliver first-in-class, digitally-enabled public services.”

At the same time, PUBLIC is expanding its UK leadership to focus on scaling the business by naming Ryan Shea, formerly of Deloitte, as UK Managing Director. Alongside Rona Harvey and Nils Hoffmann, the MD of PUBLIC Germany, Ryan will be instrumental in expanding and optimising the digital and technology capabilities PUBLIC provides for its clients. Having played a critical role in the company’s evolution from a venture-focused startup to the respected digital transformation partner it is today, Shea brings extensive experience to the role. 

Ryan Shea, UK Managing Director, PUBLIC said: “Since joining PUBLIC in 2018 as a nascent but exciting business, I’ve had the privilege to lead a number of functions and to scale our consulting business. Going into 2023, I’m honoured to have the opportunity to lead our entire UK business - spanning consulting, design, and digital delivery - as PUBLIC’s Managing Director, working with a stellar team to transform how public sector services are delivered.”

PUBLIC’s CEO and Co-founder Daniel Korski said: “By attracting as well as growing exceptional talent, PUBLIC is showing its maturity as a business and is even better placed to continue to scale sustainably. As we move to expand PUBLIC’s footprint, the rich experience bought by Rona and Ryan will help us move at an accelerated pace to meet such a critical time for our clients. We now work with partners from the Cabinet Office, the NHS and the MoD and are focused on taking on larger digital projects across governments, from strategy and design to delivering important digital programmes.”

PUBLIC’s client list now features over 30 government organisations, having delivered 70+ projects for both the public and private sector since pivoting to be a full-stack digital transformation consultancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s operations are headquartered in London, with an office in Berlin and have increased headcount by 33% YTD. From innovation learning and workforce transformation to health, online safety and beyond, PUBLIC continues to accelerate digital strategies, develop deeper expertise and build credibility across every corner of government.