Podcasts
12 May 2026
PS IHEART You Unplugged: English Regions Collaborative: Leading through complexity and change
In the final episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I HEART You podcast series, Rebecca Davis is joined by Gillian Bishop, Stuart Young and Kelly-Anne Phillips to explore what it means to lead organisations across the English Regions Collaborative. The discussion highlights the opportunities and challenges of working at a regional level, from collaboration and influence to agility, responsiveness and capacity. It also reflects on the importance of trust, relationships and shared values in supporting councils and leading effectively through complexity and change.
05 May 2026
PS I HEART You Unplugged: Supporting councils through the Regional Collective Offer
Rebecca Davis is joined by Gillian Bishop, Stuart Young and Kelly-Anne Phillips to explore how the English Regions Collaborative supports councils through workforce, HR and leadership challenges. The discussion highlights how collective working helps councils navigate change, build capability and strengthen resilience through shared expertise, trust and regional collaboration.
30 Apr 2026
West Midlands Employers celebrates multiple national award wins for its resourcing services
West Midlands Employers is celebrating national recognition for its public sector resourcing services, with award success for both WMJobs and its WMTalent Acquisition Service. The achievements highlight WME’s not-for-profit, partnership-led approach to recruitment, supporting organisations to attract talent, improve candidate experience and build sustainable workforce pipelines.
14 Apr 2026
PS IHEART You Unplugged: Collective Voice in Policy and Lobbying
In this episode of the Regional Employers Collective series, the English Regions Collaboration discusses how regional organisations support councils through policy, lobbying and consultation, helping shape national decisions, strengthen collective voice and connect local priorities with government.
07 Apr 2026
PS IHEART You Unplugged: The Collective Power of Regional Employers in Local Government
In the first episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I HEART You podcast series, Rebecca Davis is joined by Gillian Bishop, Stuart Young and Kelly-Anne Phillips to explore how regional employers support councils, convene partners and represent regional priorities. The discussion highlights how regional collaboration strengthens leadership, delivers value for members and communities, and depends on agility, trust and strong relationships.
10 Mar 2026
PS I HEART You: How Leaders Can Build Resilience Through Change
In this episode, Matthew Hotten is joined by WME Associate, speaker and coach Andrew Pain to explore why traditional change models fall short and how personal challenges can build resilience. They discuss the value of honesty, the impact of burnout, and how our response to change in life influences how we lead at work.
03 Mar 2026
PS IHEART You: Leading Under Pressure at the Tri-Sector Challenge
In this episode of the Public Sector iHeartYou Podcast, Matthew Hotten from West Midlands Employers is joined by colleagues from Worcester City Council, winners of the 2025 Tri-Sector Challenge. They reflect on their experience of taking part in a high, intensity leadership simulation designed to replicate the pressures of senior decision making in local government. The discussion explores strategic thinking, cross, service collaboration, and the organisational benefits of shared learning. For councils considering entering future Challenges, this episode provides insight into how experiential development can strengthen leadership capability and morale.
10 Feb 2026
PS IHEART You Unplugged: Building Careers, Connections and Confidence in Local Government
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 recruitment, exploring networking, employer brand, senior leadership readiness, reorganisation, and why values, place and diversity matter in today’s councils.
03 Feb 2026
PS IHEART You: Rethinking Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in HR
n this episode of Public Sector I Heart You, Manny Sandhu speaks with Shakil Butt, HR Director, author, and lecturer, about embedding equity, diversity and inclusion across organisations. They explore why performative EDI fails, the importance of representation in leadership, and how co-design and psychological safety drive real change. Shakil shares practical insights on overcoming fear, moving beyond legislation, and leading with intent.