Gemma Gwilliam

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2025.

Gemma is a multi-award-winning digital leader with lived experience of dyslexia and ADHD, driving innovation through empathy and purpose. She leads Portsmouth's "Digital City" project, bringing together all 61 schools under a shared strategy to improve outcomes, reduce workload, and close the digital divide.

With global teaching and leadership experience, Gemma is known for turning bold ideas into action and creating inclusive, future-ready digital cultures. She is now supporting other local authorities to replicate this citywide approach and drive meaningful change beyond Portsmouth.

What's the most exciting part of your current role?

Knowing that I'm leading something truly unique and impactful - I'm still the only person in the UK with this role, which allows me to innovate without boundaries. As Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation, I get to shape a citywide vision that puts children at the heart of purposeful digital change. Every day is different- one day I'm working with senior leaders on strategic planning, the next I'm supporting teachers, training new staff, or co-designing digital solutions with young people themselves.

What drives me most is seeing the direct impact of this work in classrooms - when technology genuinely enhances learning, improves accessibility, or reduces teacher workload, it's a reminder of why this role matters. My lived experience of dyslexia and ADHD fuels my passion for inclusion, and it's incredibly fulfilling to use that to help others access opportunities more equitably.

It's not just about devices or systems - it's about people. I love building partnerships across schools, colleges, organisations and local businesses to create a joined-up approach. This is a heart-led project built on relationships, and knowing that it's helping children and adults thrive in a digital world is the most exciting part of all.

What do you consider your greatest IT achievement of the last 12 months?

Hosting the Department for Education in July 2024 for a citywide showcase of Portsmouth's digital transformation. It was a defining moment - not just for me, but for the entire city. Every part of our education community came together to demonstrate how we're using digital technology to drive real, lasting change for children and their families. It wasn't about shiny tools; it was about purposeful, inclusive impact.

That visit marked a turning point. As a result, we were invited to mentor two other local authorities, sharing not just what we've done, but how we've built a culture of collaboration, innovation and heart-led leadership. This sparked new networks, stronger partnerships, and national recognition for our schools and colleges.

Over the past year, we've seen Portsmouth shortlisted for global and national awards - from Outstanding Digital Inclusion Project in partnership with Google for Education and Canopy, to School and College of the Year, and the Pearson Award for Transformational Use of Digital Technology. These achievements are powerful because they show that everything we're doing is rooted in improving outcomes for children - not just in our city, but far beyond. That's what I'm most proud of.

What's the biggest challenge facing IT leaders today, and how are you tackling it?

Navigating ever-tightening budgets while trying to meet rising expectations - particularly around digital access and inclusion. In Portsmouth, many of our schools serve communities facing high levels of deprivation, and this has a direct impact on digital equity. We want every child to have access to high-quality devices and learning experiences, but the reality is that outdated infrastructure, like devices unable to upgrade to Windows 11, puts that goal increasingly out of reach.

At the same time, schools are under pressure to meet the DfE's Digital and Technology Standards, which require reliable, secure, and future-proofed systems. The cost of achieving this, while also maintaining a high device-to-pupil ratio, is becoming unsustainable. We're now having to make difficult decisions - such as transitioning to Chromebook or ChromeFlex models for affordability or reducing device access ratios, which undermines our aim to close the digital divide.

We're tackling this by working strategically across the city - leveraging collective procurement, building strong partnerships, and finding creative, value-for-money solutions. But the truth is, it's becoming harder. The will is there, but without broader investment and policy support, the gap between aspiration and reality continues to grow.

What piece of technology could you not live without, and why?

AI - because of the transformative impact it's having across every layer of education when used with purpose. Over the past year, I've supported schools in using AI to improve outcomes in both literacy and maths, particularly through adaptive teaching and targeted support. We've seen it reduce teacher workload, increase accessibility and even revolutionise leadership workflows for senior leaders.

AI has also been a core focus in our citywide approach to inclusion, particularly through our "Technology for All: Accessibility and Inclusion" programme. It's enabled us to personalise learning, remove barriers and support every child - especially those with additional needs - in accessing high-quality education.

Beyond the classroom, we're about to deliver a five-part AI webinar series for parents and carers, helping families not only understand AI but use it to support their child's learning at home. When both adults and children are trained to use AI confidently and responsibly, the outcomes are remarkable.

It's not just about the tool - it's about empowering people. AI, when implemented thoughtfully, has the potential to close gaps, unlock potential and genuinely improve learning and life chances for all. That's why I couldn't imagine working without it.

What excites you most about the future of IT?

Its limitless potential to shape lives - especially for children whose futures we can't yet imagine. The jobs they'll have may not even exist today, but one thing is certain: IT will be central to them. That's why digital education isn't a "nice to have" - it's essential.

Seeing what we've achieved in Portsmouth in under three years fills me with hope. It proves that with the right vision, collaboration, and heart-led leadership, local change can create national ripples. I truly believe this citywide approach can - and will - become a model for others. We have a collective responsibility as a nation to ensure all children, no matter their background, have the skills, access, and confidence to thrive in a digital world.

What excites me even more is the role IT plays in SEND and inclusion. When used thoughtfully, technology can break down communication barriers, personalise learning, and open doors to opportunities that some children might never have believed were possible. That power to transform not just learning, but lives, is what makes the future of IT so exciting. And we're only just getting started.

What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?

The strangest job I've ever had was being Head of Boarding at a school in Bangkok, Thailand. No two days were the same - one moment I was rescuing a student from a snake, the next I was doing room searches (very different experiences when it's Year 4s one minute and Year 13s the next!). I'll never forget the time a jar of Nutella fell from the top floor and splattered all the way down the stairwell walls- utter chaos! But for all the unexpected and bizarre moments, it was also one of the most rewarding roles I've ever had. There was something truly special about reading bedtime stories to children far from home, organising weekend adventures, or teaching them how to cook for the first time. It was strange, intense, and completely unforgettable - but at its heart, it was all about care, connection, and creating a home away from home.

If you could instantly master one new skill, what would it be?

If I could instantly master one new skill, it would be the ability to focus - truly focus. As someone with ADHD, my brain often feels like it has 937,465,783 tabs open at once (and that's just on a quiet day!). The challenge isn't a lack of passion or ideas - it's being able to slow the spin and channel that energy into one thing at a time.

On a more practical level, I'd love to master coding. Not just to build clever things (though that would be amazing), but because I secretly hope that learning to code might help me rewire my brain a little - bring structure to the chaos and help me get more done without constantly worrying about what I've missed. It's like hacking your own operating system. Focus, calm, and clarity - now that would be a superpower.