In the face of climate change, the urgency for decarbonisation in public sector estates has never been more critical. With public sector estates producing over 9 million tonnes of CO2 annually, the journey towards achieving net zero by 2050 is a shared responsibility that demands immediate action and innovative solutions. In this panel discussion, experts from the NHS, local councils, and housing groups gathered to explore how local authorities can future-proof their estates through low carbon h...
Jul 04, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionising the public sector in our latest episode! Join a panel of experts as they discuss the challenges and opportunities AI presents for government services. Learn about the importance of data management, building trust, and ethical considerations in deploying AI solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 69
In our latest episode, we tackle the critical issue of digital inclusion and the urgent need for equal access to technology in the UK. With over 11 million people digitally excluded, our expert panel discusses the challenges and innovative solutions being implemented to bridge this gap. Discover how local authorities and communities are working together to foster a more inclusive digital future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 14, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 68
In the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive podcast, Nadeem Khan, a team leader at the housing charity Shelter joined host Dan Benn to discuss the critical issue of possession and eviction notices. With over a decade of experience, Nadeem shed light on the alarming rise in homelessness due to increasing housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes. Nadeem explained that possession and eviction are often the primary reasons people seek help from Shelter. He emphasised the emotional t...
Mar 13, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 67
In today's fast-paced world, the ability to negotiate effectively is more crucial than ever. Whether you're in the public sector, private industry, or simply trying to strike a deal at home, the principles of negotiation remain the same. In our latest podcast episode, we have the privilege of hosting Andy Archibald, a senior consultant at Scotwork, who sheds light on the art and science of negotiation. Andy brings a wealth of experience, having worked across the energy and utility sectors, as we...
Feb 24, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 66
The world is becoming an increasingly hostile place. With foreign nations often entering the headlines as they breach the cyber security of organisations, it is imperative that government continues to develop its cyber security capabilities. One of the best ways to go about doing this is by ensuring that systems are secure by design, and in order to learn more about this process, host Dan Benn spoke to cyber security expert George Bathurst. Over the course of more than thirty years, George’s car...
Nov 25, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Episode 64 of the PSE Podcast sees Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council, joining host Dan Benn to talk about her local government background, what the future holds for the city of Nottingham, and the importance of collaboration with the rest of the East Midlands. Playing a core role in the establishment of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, Sajeeda told Dan about the opportunity that is on offer for the region, saying: “I believe that the establishment of a combined...
Nov 04, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 64
It would be naïve to say that major infrastructure projects in the UK have a successful history of being delivered on time and on budget. Whilst there are many good examples of projects that have been successful in this way, the UK is still underperforming when it comes to delivery, with one of the most notable examples – the High Speed 2 rail link – still causing controversy seven years on from its commencement. In order to explore why major infrastructure projects are failing, and how the issu...
Oct 14, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Whilst not necessarily one of the ‘big ticket’ items that councils are responsible for, the importance of highways cannot be understated. Providing a vital way of getting people to their jobs, their appointments, and their families, roads are integral to most aspects of everyday life in 2024. Despite this, there continue to be issues with roads that should not be happening. When was the last time you saw a pothole? It was probably recently. This is because many councils are without the adequate ...
Sep 27, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 62
There have been countless conversations about how to improve transport in the north of England in recent times, with the cancellation of HS2 removing an important potential transport link to the south, and subsequent discussions about improved road and rail connections between the north’s most important cities. Discussing some of the most important aspects relating to the futureproofing of transport in the north of England, some of the challenges involved, and how Transport for the North are sup...
Sep 13, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Transport, as an enabler, can play an integral role in many of the priorities that government of all levels are trying to achieve. Whether it is connecting communities to the services that their lives revolve around, or bringing trade into economic centres, the transport network is an important place to start. Chief Executive of Transport East, Andrew Summers, spoke to host Dan Benn about the organisations Annual Review for 2023-2024, commenting on achievements, goals, and some stumbling blocks ...
Aug 30, 2024•26 min•Ep. 60
At the beginning of July, it was announced that we would be getting a Labour government for the first time since the Conservatives won the 2010 General Election. This saw Sir Keir Starmer become Prime Minister, replacing Rishi Sunak – who subsequently announced his intention to step down as Leader of the Conservative Party. In the short space of time since they came into power, the new government has been getting to work to deliver on some of its key priorities, including furthering devolution, ...
Jul 19, 2024•25 min•Ep. 59
Artificial intelligence is one of the most exciting technology developments in recent times. Whilst it has seemingly endless possible uses across a number of sectors, AI can also bring major improvements for local authorities. To discuss the potential benefits, risks and challenges of authorities utilising artificial intelligence, Kent County Council’s Fil Kamps joined host Dan Benn for the latest episode of the PSE Podcast. Discussing some of the benefits of AI for the public sector, especially...
Jun 27, 2024•21 min•Ep. 58
Digitalisation is a big part of the future of the public sector, however organisations need to make sure that their digital ambitions don’t leave communities lagging behind, or unable to access the services they need. Discussing how organisations across the sector can transform digitally, bring communities with them, and his career in digital inclusion, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Will Plant joined host Dan Benn on the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast. Hosted on Acast. S...
Jun 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 57
Decision making is a crucial part of leading in any industry, never mind the public sector. With decisions being made that can have life changing consequences for entire communities it is vital that leaders are accountable, able to make decisions under pressure, and able to foresee the challenges that they might face in the future. To talk about making decisions under pressure, the journey that the organisation has been on, and his personal career, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service’s Mark...
May 24, 2024•21 min•Ep. 56
Ensuring that councillors are equipped with the proper skills is essential to making sure that council services run smoothly, and communities benefit from the best value for money. Whilst this may seem like a simple concept, some councils don’t train their councillors take councillor training as serious as they perhaps should. To explore more about the kinds of skills that councillors should be developing, why some councils don’t offer the right training, and how this impacts councils themselves...
May 02, 2024•26 min•Ep. 55
21st century problems require 21st century solutions, and nowhere proves this as effectively as the public sector. Whether its using the latest technology to guide policy decisions, or simply making the sector more environmentally friendly, digital and data offer the answers to many of the questions being asked of public sector organisations. Martin Dolce and Dan Westley, from Oracle UK, joined host Dan Benn to talk about the work that Oracle are doing to support cloud, data, and digitisation pr...
Apr 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 54
Devolution is offering regions the opportunity to control more of the decisions that are being made locally, with communities reaping the benefits of every combined authority that pops up around the country. Established in March 2017, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is one of the most recently established combined authorities and it follows in the footsteps of areas such as Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the Liverpool City Region. For the 53rd episode of the Public Sector Executive Podc...
Apr 04, 2024•24 min•Ep. 53
The state of council finances is one of the most pressing issues across the public sector right now. As councils face bankruptcy, cut funding and reduced services, and the demands for those services from communities pile on the pressure, the government is set to announce its budget for the next financial year. In the 52nd episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast Cllr Pete Marland joins host Dan Benn to discuss the challenges that councils face. Pete is Chair of the LGA’s Economy and Resour...
Mar 07, 2024•25 min•Ep. 52
It is the role of local government leaders to make the decisions that will best deliver for the communities that they represent. That much is obvious. How can they do this, however, if they are not accurately representative of those very communities? Great strides have been made in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, or social class is represented in some way within local government. Chief Executive of Westminster City Counci l Stuart Love joins host Dan Benn to ...
Feb 15, 2024•19 min•Ep. 51
In the 50th episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, Leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Cllr Anne Handley talks about the upcoming devolution deal for the region and what it can bring to East Yorkshire. Councillor Handley delved into the potential that East Yorkshire holds, ongoing transport issues and, touching on just how important the deal is for the region, said: “It’s really important. We are the last part of Yorkshire to actually have any kind of deal… “…We need the fund...
Feb 01, 2024•14 min•Ep. 50
On the latest episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, Councillor Amanda Hopgood joins host Dan Benn to discuss the devolution deal that has been secured for the North East of England. As the Leader of Durham County Council, Amanda is brilliantly placed to talk about all of the main facets of such an important deal, especially with £4.2 billion of investment coming into the region. Speaking on this investment, Amanda said: “[It’s] absolutely immense for a region like ours that sadly, on m...
Jan 18, 2024•16 min•Ep. 49
As central government aims for the UK to be net zero by 2050, councils around the country make plans for how to reduce emissions. This episode’s guest, Oldham’s Councillor Abdul Jabbar outlines the importance of coming together to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint, the benefits of achieving net zero, and how Oldham Council are working to do just that. Touching on the role that the public sector can play in sustainability, Cllr Jabbar said: “I think it’s really important that the public sector...
Jan 03, 2024•22 min•Ep. 48
The Leader of Liverpool City Council Liam Robinson spoke to PSE’s Dan Benn about the importance of transport links being decided locally, the homelessness crisis that is only worsening across the country, the financial pressure that many councils find themselves under and lots more. Speaking about the cancellation of HS2, Liam said: “I think we’ve found the process predominantly over the course of the last six to seven years very, very frustrating with the way that the North of England, particul...
Dec 07, 2023•20 min•Ep. 47
In 2020, most of the world stopped. People were forced to stay at home and many people were furloughed. This episode's guest, however, was thrown into the forefront of the government's response to to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading the tracing system and working alongside local and central government bodies. Host Dan Benn is joined by Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, to discuss loyalty, the pressures of Covid-19, and the importance of transport to a city like Leeds. Hosted on A...
Nov 16, 2023•19 min•Ep. 46
In this episode of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, host Dan Benn is joined by Martin Cresswell (Chair of the Lampton Group) and Shantanu Rajawat (Leader of London Borough of Hounslow Council) as they discuss the importance of innovation in the public sector. Shantanu, Martin and Dan also touch on the topic of Local Authority Trading Companies, their effectiveness, and how they support innovation and development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 05, 2023•32 min•Ep. 45
On episode 44 of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, host Dan Benn was joined by former Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carl Austin-Behan OBE. Carl spoke about everything ranging from his time in the RAF, being Manchester’s first openly gay Lord Mayor, and the important work he does now, with the LGBT Foundation. Speaking on his time in the Royal Air Force, Carl said “they just sat me down and said ‘ do you have homosexual tendencies?’ In that split second I had to make my decision, whether I was goi...
Jul 26, 2023•22 min•Ep. 44
On episode 43 of the Public Sector Executive Podcast, Lucy Trueman, Managing Director of Trueman Change, joined host Dan Benn to discuss all things relating to organisational culture. Lucy touched on everything from how to identify the culture within your organisation and how to be aware of the messages you are sending to other employees, to the shifting culture of the modern workplace. Touching on how to work on changing a culture's organisation, Lucy said: "Step one is definitely to get awaren...
Jun 30, 2023•31 min•Ep. 43
Conservative borough councillor, 19-year-old Harrison Allman-Varty. They discussed the importance of politics to young people, his priorities, and taking a common-sense approach to planning. “I think conservative councillors are in a tricky position.” Harrison said when talking about one thing that he regards as one of the most important things for councillors to do. “They’re in a tricky position because they want to protect the green belt as a fundamental thing and they want to conserve those s...
Jun 13, 2023•16 min•Ep. 42
In this episode of the PSE Podcast, host Dan Benn talks to Shailen Popat, Director of the Msc in Public Management at the University of Birmingham, about what it takes to educate the future workforce of the public sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 17, 2023•28 min•Ep. 41
