Public Sector I HEART You

In this episode, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers, is joined by Ian Benson, Director of Local Government Reorganisation for Worcestershire County Council.
Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges of local government reorganisation, supporting staff through uncertainty and creating meaningful transformation beyond structural change.
Ian also reflects on his public sector career and shares insights into strategic leadership, organisational culture, coaching and the importance of building strong professional networks.
A valuable conversation for public sector leaders, HR professionals and anyone involved in shaping the future of local government.

In this episode, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers, is joined by Vic Allison, Chief Executive of Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council.
Together, they explore the challenges of leading through local government reorganisation, supporting staff through uncertainty, developing future leaders and the opportunities presented by devolution.
Vic also reflects on his leadership journey and the importance of keeping communities at the heart of local government.

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, Michelle O’Neill, Principal Consultant in Leadership and Organisational Development, is joined by Jo Grocott, Head of People Development and Experience at the City of Wolverhampton Council.

They explore how the council is developing its leadership pipeline through the Our Future Leaders programme, which supports aspiring leaders across the organisation.

The conversation highlights the importance of practical experience, supportive learning environments, and building confidence in people as they develop their skills. It provides useful reflections for organisations looking to strengthen their workforce and support future growth.

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You Podcast, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers, is joined by Steve Guest, Director of Recruitment and Delivery at Solace in Business, and Jess Mullinger, Executive Director of Sector Support at Solace in Business. 
They explore how artificial intelligence is influencing executive recruitment in local government, where it can add value and where human judgement must remain central. The discussion covers ethical considerations, bias, assessment processes, public trust and the growing pressures in the senior recruitment market.
The episode also looks at succession planning, talent pipelines and how AI could help widen access to public sector leadership roles without losing authenticity or values.
A must‑listen for public sector leaders, HR professionals and anyone involved in senior recruitment and workforce strategy.

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, host Chloe Herrmann is joined by Daisy Killian from Warwick District Council, Aman Sandhu from City of Wolverhampton Council, and Will Oldham from the Local Government Association.
They discuss how local government apprenticeships can lead to sustainable, long‑term careers, the importance of raising awareness of early career routes, and the challenges councils face in building future talent pipelines. 
Drawing on both personal experience and national insight, the conversation highlights why supporting early career talent is critical to workforce resilience and the future of public service.