Thought Leadership
15 Apr 2026
Staying curious. Why modern leadership development must go beyond the classroom
Leadership in local government is becoming increasingly complex, with reform, collaboration and technological change reshaping how services are delivered. In this article, Michelle O’Neill explores why traditional leadership programmes alone are no longer enough. Drawing on work with councils across the sector, she highlights the growing importance of experiential learning, coaching and reflective space in helping leaders navigate uncertainty, develop confidence and build the curiosity modern public sector leadership now demands.
15 Apr 2026
Is Local Government still family friendly enough?
Local government has long been seen as a leader in family-friendly employment, but that position is becoming less clear. As statutory rights expand and private sector innovation accelerates, the sector’s relative advantage is narrowing. Lorna Wells explores whether compliance is now replacing leadership, and why revisiting family-friendly provision could play a critical role in attraction, retention and workforce sustainability across local government.
15 Apr 2026
Resourcing through reform: Keeping services stable while rebuilding the workforce
In this article, Graham Bradley, (MCIPD), explores what it takes for resourcing leaders to keep services stable and capability growing through Local Government Reorganisation. LGR is a public, time bound workforce transition, often under financial constraint and rising demand. This paper distils ten resourcing considerations to help leaders balance internal mobility and targeted recruitment, align to programme dependencies, and manage risk as the new authority takes shape.
12 Mar 2026
Leadership: Still a contact sport. Now unmistakenly a team one.
Leadership still carries weight. The pressure and scrutiny haven’t eased. What has changed is the belief that one person can carry it alone. In this article, Matthew Hotten challenges the myth of the heroic leader and argues that modern public sector leadership depends on collective performance. Drawing on the West Midlands Tri-sector Challenge, he explores why leadership must move within teams, especially under pressure, and why organisations must reward it accordingly.
12 Mar 2026
Employment Rights Act 2025: A New ERA – What Local Government HR Should Focus on Now
Lorna Wells examines what the Employment Rights Act 2025 means for local government HR. The most significant reform of UK employment law in a generation will unfold over several years, from industrial action reform and expanded protections to redundancy and harassment duties. Lorna sets out what matters now, what is coming next, and how councils can prepare steadily and strategically.
12 Mar 2026
Why quality of matches matters more than quantity of applications in public sector recruitment
In public sector recruitment, success is often measured by how many applications a role receives. But volume does not guarantee quality. In this article, Chloe Herrmannexplores why focusing on genuine engagement, transparency and trust leads to better matches between candidates and employers. By shifting attention from quantity to intent, public sector organisations can improve outcomes, reduce pressure on resourcing teams and build a stronger, more sustainable workforce for the future.
12 Feb 2026
Sharing Interview Questions: Fairness, Transparency or Too Far?
Is sharing interview questions a step towards fairness, or does it risk undermining effective selection? This article explores the growing debate around transparency in recruitment, balancing candidate experience with robust assessment. Drawing on resourcing practice and inclusion principles, Graham Bradley considers reasonable adjustments, role expectations and hybrid approaches, and why there may be no single ‘right’ answer, only better, more thoughtful conversations.
12 Feb 2026
Go on then. Prove it.
In the first article of the Modern Leadership Without the Script series, Matthew Hotten invites leaders to reflect on whether experience alone is enough in today’s fast-changing environment. While experience brings judgement and stability, shifts such as hybrid work, AI and growing complexity require more than precedent and speed. The piece highlights the importance of staying curious, asking better questions and being open to not having all the answers. Experience should be a foundation, not a fortress, particularly when the context around leadership continues to evolve.
12 Feb 2026
From Faithless to Fearless: Reflections from the Festival of AI in Practice
Michelle O’Neill reflects on the Festival of AI in Practice and what it revealed about AI in local government. Across five days and 1,600+ participants, the message was clear: AI is a people and leadership issue, not just a digital one. The article explores readiness over speed, the importance of purpose and “return on intention”, and the need for honest conversations about adoption, equity and governance. From Copilot rollouts to AI amnesty and behaviour change, Michelle argues that intentional, human-centred leadership is what turns AI from hype into meaningful transformation.