Public Sector I HEART You

In this episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I ❤️ You Unplugged podcast series, and as part of the English Regions Collaborative, Rebecca Davis is joined by Gillian Bishop, Stuart Young and Kelly-Anne Phillips.
Together they explore how regional organisations support councils through policy, lobbying and consultation, acting as trusted advocates between local government and national stakeholders to shape policy and strengthen a collective voice.
For chief executives and national partners, the episode offers insight into how regional collaboration strengthens influence and ensures local priorities are heard nationally.

In the first episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I ❤️ You Unplugged podcast series, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive at North West Employers, Stuart Young, Executive Director at East Midlands Councils, and Kelly-Anne Phillips, Director of Policy and Internal Services at South West Councils.

Together they explore the unique role regional employer organisations play in supporting councils, convening partners and representing regional priorities at both regional and national level.

The conversation offers valuable insight for chief executives and national partners into how regional collaboration strengthens leadership across the sector, delivers value and impact for members and communities, and relies on the agility, trust and relationships needed to operate across complex regional systems.

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, Matthew Hotten, Senior Consultant at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Andrew Pain, WME Associate, speaker and coach with a passion for helping people embrace change.

They explore how personal challenges, from food box choices to skydiving, help build the kind of emotional resilience needed in public sector leadership. Andrew shares insights on why change is rarely linear, the impact of the Stockdale Paradox, and the importance of leading with compassion when supporting teams through uncertainty.

In this episode of the Public Sector I ♥️ You Podcast, Matthew Hotten, Senior Consultant at West Midlands Employers, is joined by members of the winning team from Worcester City Council following the 2025 Tri-Sector Challenge.

Thalia, Allotment Officer, Craig, Building Services Engineer, and Ben, Communications Officer, share their experience of stepping into a high, pressure leadership simulation designed to mirror the realities of senior management in local government.

They reflect on strategic decision making, managing competing priorities, handling media scrutiny, and the value of cross, departmental collaboration. The conversation also explores how experiential learning can deepen understanding of leadership pressures and strengthen organisational culture.

This episode offers practical insight into building strategic capability and fostering stronger, more connected teams.

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers, is joined by Julie Towers, Director at Penna. 

Julie shares insights from her career in local government and executive recruitment, exploring networking, employer brand, senior leadership readiness, reorganisation, and why values, place and diversity matter for the future of public sector leadership.