Thought Leadership
10 Jun 2026
Is AI the answer to the future of work or are we asking the wrong question?
Dr Nicola J Millard reflects on long-standing debates about the future of work and why many technology-led predictions continue to fall short. Drawing on history, psychology and current discussions around AI, the article explores why challenges such as engagement, critical thinking and work design remain fundamentally human. It considers how organisations can move beyond efficiency gains to design work that supports better thinking, creativity and sustainable performance.
10 Jun 2026
What the HSE’s renewed focus on stress at work really means for employers
Work-related stress is no longer just a wellbeing issue, it is firmly a health and safety risk, and the HSE is treating it that way. This article explains what the regulator’s renewed focus means in practice, including what “good enough” now looks like and why policies alone won’t protect organisations. It sets out practical, preventative steps HR leaders can take to evidence effective controls and reduce enforcement risk.
10 Jun 2026
Human Intelligence in an AI World – the moment HR & OD have been waiting for
AI promises unprecedented efficiency, but it also raises a critical leadership challenge. In this thought-provoking article, Juliette Alban-Metcalfe explains why advances in AI create the strongest business case yet for human-centred leadership, culture and change readiness. For HR and OD professionals, this is not a threat but a long-awaited opportunity to drive meaningful, strategic change.
13 May 2026
When routine becomes the problem: Habituation and the case for continuous improvement
Habituation helps us manage the familiar, but at work it can quietly stop teams from questioning routines that no longer serve them. In this article, Steve Jackson explores how Continuous Improvement can help councils create space for small, practical changes led by the people closest to the work. By reducing friction, encouraging experimentation and building ownership, CI offers a low-risk route to stronger engagement, better services and more confident teams.
13 May 2026
Sexual harassment at work: Being ready for what comes next.
Lorna Wells explores the growing focus on sexual harassment in the workplace and what recent legal changes mean for public sector employers. Drawing on survey findings and emerging case law, the piece examines why incidents continue to go unreported and why compliance alone is no longer enough. It considers how organisations can move beyond policy and training to build cultures rooted in trust, accountability and prevention.
13 May 2026
The quiet collapse of ‘how we’ve always done it’: Reflections on the PPMA Conference 2026
Reflecting on the PPMA Conference 2026, Rebecca Davis explores how local government is moving beyond familiar ideas of complexity into a more uncertain, people-led future. From reform and AI to workforce capacity and leadership confidence, the article considers why the sector’s ability to adapt will depend not only on structures or funding, but on how seriously organisations invest in people, culture and change.
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.
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.