Date & Time
Thursday 27th February, 2025 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Venue
Online - Accessible
CPD Certified
Availability & Pricing
Public Sector: £195 + VAT
Private Sector: £245 + VAT
Registration
Overview
A 2023 report from the Public Sector Management Practices Survey (PSMPS) highlights significant variability in management scores across UK public sector agencies. These findings reflect a dynamic landscape where agencies are adopting diverse governance strategies and modernising practices to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
Inside Government’s Governance and Leadership Forum brings together leaders from across the public sector to explore how they can foster strong governance within their organisations and local communities to achieve optimal outcomes that align with public needs. This event will focus on key areas such as identifying and managing emerging risks, ensuring effective corporate leadership, enhancing scrutiny and accountability, handling crises and planning for the future.
Participants will gain insights into best practices for governance and strategies for developing current and future leaders to address evolving challenges. The forum will also emphasise the importance of cross-sector partnerships and collaboration in upholding good governance throughout the public sector.
Learning Objectives
Gain an increased understanding of how to implement strong systems leadership within your organisation
Consider how you can support the next generation of leaders, supporting in the sustainability of good governance in the public sector
Reflect upon how you can build organisational resilience and respond to unexpected circumstances
Strengthen financial risk management through increased accountability and transparency
Expert Speaker Highlights
Diana Melville
Governance Advisor
CIPFA
John Mark Williams
CEO
The Institute of Leadership
Agenda
9:30 am
Logging on and Accessing the Online Platform
9:45 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Riikka Hofmann, University Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge - Invited
10:00 am
CIPFA Keynote: Implementing the Principles of the International Good Governance in the Public Sector Framework
The International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector provides a framework that encourages improved service delivery and accountability. This session will focus on implementing the Framework:
Highlight the importance of openness and effective stakeholder engagement to ensure that public sector entities are acting for the public good
Gain best practice for defining and planning sustainable long-term outcomes in terms of economic, social, and environmental benefits
Receive insights into how to implement transparency, reporting and audit practices that deliver effective accountability
Examine the role of internal capacity building to meet changing needs over time
Address the need for public sector entities to interpret the principles of the Framework in line with specific legislative requirements
This session will include time for delegate questions and answers.
Diana Melville, Governance Advisor, CIPFA – Confirmed
10:45 am
The Institute of Leadership Keynote - Leadership in a Changing Public Sector: Navigating Complexities for Effective Governance
Discuss how public sector leaders can leverage adaptive leadership for institutional resilience
Introduce frameworks and tools for reinforcing ethical decision-making processes in the public sector
Discuss the major challenges that are currently impacting public governance, including rapid technological changes and increasing public expectations for transparency and accountability
Explore the role of visionary leadership in anticipating future governance challenges
John Mark-Williams, CEO, Institute of Leadership – Confirmed
11:30 am
Break
11:45 am
Panel Discussion: Empowering Systems Change to Increase Organisational Agility and Improve Outcomes
This panel will explore how systemic change can strengthen organisational agility and resilience, driving better outcomes in the public sector. Discuss strategies for transforming systems, the importance of cross-organisational relationships and how collaborative networks can help organisations navigate uncertainty and adapt to evolving challenges.
Reimagine systems change and identify key areas within public sector systems that need transformation to support better decision-making, flexibility and adaptability.
Consider what systems change should look like, and the role it plays in improving outcomes through increased resilience and agility
Understand the impact of strong cross-organisational relationships on organisational resilience
Outline key strategies for cultivating and maintaining productive partnerships across departments, agencies, and sectors
Discuss how collaborative networks can streamline resources, reduce inefficiencies and provide shared solutions during times of crisis or uncertainty
Ed Hammond, Interim Chief Executive, Centre for Governance and Scrutiny – Invited
Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive, Care Quality Commission – Invited
Tracie Jolliff, Head of Inclusive System Development, NHS England & Improvement and Head of Inclusion and System Leadership, NHS Leadership Academy - Invited
12:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Embedding Strong Systems Leadership into Public Sector Organisations
This session will discuss and explore the importance of effective and robust leadership within the public sector and share the best ways to navigate the complexities of modern governance.
Discuss the critical importance of resilience and strategic planning in leadership development
Highlight how fostering strong cross-organisational relationships can enhance resilience
Delve into how the public sector leaders can address the unique challenges posed by uncertainty, helping leaders build the skills needed to thrive in unpredictable environment
Discuss how leaders can take a proactive approach to embedding high standards and ethics into their organisations
Share insights into building a culture of constructive challenge which is essential for innovation and improvement in the public sector
This session will include time for delegate questions and answers.
Natalie Golding, Director, National Leadership Centre – Invited
Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education – Invited
Neil (Nilesh) Sachdev MBE,MBA, Non Executive Chair and NED – Invited
1:15 pm
Lunch
2:15 pm
Case Study: Empowering Local Government Leadership for Community Resilience
This session addresses innovative public sector leadership approaches for today’s climate. Participants will explore how resilience, community collaboration, compassion, and mobilization can redefine effective leadership.
Share how leaders can balance efficiency with resilience, enabling public bodies to adapt and withstand ongoing challenges
Explore how to engage local communities as vital partners, embarking on a community-aligned approach to leadership
Discuss how to cultivate an empathetic, adaptable leadership style to support both employees and communities
Outline how to successfully transition from traditional management to activating and empowering community-driven solutions
Ian Knowles, Chief Executive, West Lindsey District Council - Invited
2:45 pm
Panel Discussion: Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Public Sector Governance
This panel will dive deep into how public sector organisations can unlock the full potential of accountability and transparency to create more efficient, ethical, and resilient institutions. Panelists will share innovative strategies and explore real-world solutions to modern governance challenges, demonstrating how integrity and partnership can drive impactful service delivery and leadership growth.
Discuss critical role that transparency plays in strengthening trust between organisations and the public
Share mechanisms for enforcing accountability and responsibility
Explore public-private partnerships for enhanced service delivery
Outline how to promote integrity and ethics in decision-making
Discuss ways of enhancing leadership resilience in public sector organisations
Loretta Hoy, Growth Manager, Essex County Council – Confirmed
Emma Congreve, Deputy Director, Fraser Allander Institute – Confirmed
Dewi Knight, Director, PolicyWISE – Invited
3:30 pm
The Future of Public Sector Governance: What Does Good Governance Look Like Across the Next Decade?
The National Commission on the Future of Good Governance is examining how good governance can impact the development and sustainability of the public sector over the next decade, and how to achieve this by 2030. This session will focus on enabling the delivery of effective and sustainable public services through good governance:
Providing an overview of the progress of the Commission so far
Highlighting how trends including digital transformation, the changing face of work, and localism impact on public sector governance
Examining the challenges facing the public sector, including multi-agency integration, access to data, and long-term planning
Sharing how governance practices are expected to change to address these challenges and adapt according to changing political expectations
Discuss emerging leadership models for the future of governance
This session will include time for delegate questions and answers.
Mark Butler, Convenor, National Commission on The Future of Governance in the Public Sector - Invited
4:00 pm
Chair’s Close
Riikka Hofmann, University Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge
*programme subject to change
Pricing
Public Sector
£195 + VAT
Private Sector
£245 + VAT