UK Export Finance (UKEF) is steadfastly pursuing ambitious objectives in 2025, with a sharp focus on supporting UK exporters, stimulating growth, and creating jobs. A central aspect of their strategy involves increasing the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) they support, financing more projects in developing markets, and enabling UK companies to secure green business opportunities.
The Government’s broader emphasis on growth profoundly shapes UKEF’s digital and technological priorities. Bowden explains that the DDaT team collaborates closely with policy and business units to enhance services and products that facilitate UK growth, especially for smaller businesses.
A key transformation underway involves moving away from traditional IT methodologies characterised by rigid contracts and waterfall project management. Instead, Bowden’s team has embraced agile methodologies, enabling greater flexibility, faster delivery, and the capacity to scale digital products and services according to demand. "Launching lightweight new systems early lets us focus on core needs and add functionality as we validate designs and increase take-up," he notes.
A practical example of technology-driven innovation at UKEF is the recently launched Digital and Trade Finance Service (DTFS). This modern platform has replaced an older, less efficient system, making it significantly easier for lenders to apply for guarantees on behalf of exporters.
Bowden reports impressive early results, with the system handling hundreds of transactions and achieving an 86% rate of automated underwriting decisions this financial year. Plans are already in place to onboard additional financial institutions.
Additionally, Bowden points to the successful digitisation of UKEF’s export credit insurance application process. Replacing cumbersome paper forms with an intuitive online platform - including a 'get a quote' feature - has simplified the application process significantly. Bowden anticipates this will lead to a notable increase in policies issued, especially among SMEs.
AI, automation, and data analytics are also reshaping UKEF’s operations. Bowden emphasises a practical, transparent approach to AI adoption, citing partnerships with external AI experts to develop prototypes such as an HR information assistant and AI-driven user research.
Software developers at UKEF already benefit from AI tools for quality assurance, documentation, vulnerability identification, and code testing. Additionally, Bowden notes ongoing explorations into machine learning for predictive analytics, cybersecurity enhancement, and more targeted customer insights.
Parallel to these technological advances, UKEF has significantly advanced its data analytics capabilities. The adoption of interactive reporting tools like Power BI has transformed how business insights are delivered, offering tailored, detailed, and actionable intelligence. Efforts to modernise UKEF’s enterprise data platform aim to further simplify, scale, and enhance data control and accuracy across the organisation.
Innovation is deeply ingrained within UKEF’s DDaT team culture. Bowden stresses the importance of a collaborative, iterative, and user-centric approach. "We believe you should start small, learn, fix, and then scale up at pace," he states. Techniques such as agile working methods, user-centred design, and regular team interactions like 'show and tell' presentations underpin this culture of continuous improvement.
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, Bowden’s primary goal remains delivering high-quality digital products and services. Success for the DDaT team in 2025 will be measured not only by product excellence but also by the expansion and strengthening of the team’s capabilities.
Bowden underscores the importance of investing in people, fostering strong expert communities of practice, and nurturing knowledge sharing both within UKEF and across government. Ultimately, this strategy aims to equip the organisation with the expertise necessary to continuously innovate and support UKEF’s overarching mission of driving growth.