Public Sector I HEART You

West Midland Employers

Join us for a podcast that places the public sector at the heart of every conversation. In each episode, we explore the world of public sector work, bringing you impactful insights and solutions-driven conversations. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of public service or just interested in how things work behind the scenes, you will find valuable perspectives, advice, innovative ideas, and stories that make a difference!

  1. PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: English Regions Collaborative: Leading through complexity and change

    May 12

    PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: English Regions Collaborative: Leading through complexity and change

    In the final episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I ❤️ You podcast series, and as part of the English Regions Collaborative, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive at North West Employers, Stuart Young, Executive Director at East Midlands Councils, and Kelly-Anne Phillips, Director of Policy and Internal Services at South West Councils. Together they reflect on what it means to lead across regions, from the opportunities to collaborate and influence, to the realities of working across complex systems with limited capacity. The conversation explores the balance between agility and stability, the importance of trusted relationships, and the values that underpin effective leadership in local government. For chief executives and senior leaders, this final episode offers an honest and practical perspective on leading through complexity and change.

    17 min
  2. PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: English regions collaborative: Supporting councils through change

    May 5

    PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: English regions collaborative: Supporting councils through change

    In this episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I ❤️ You podcast series, and as part of the English Regions Collaborative, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive at North West Employers, Stuart Young, Executive Director at East Midlands Councils, and Kelly-Anne Phillips, Director of Policy and Internal Services at South West Councils. The conversation highlights the practical realities of leading in a complex and evolving local government landscape, and the role of collaboration in enabling access to expertise, shared learning and trusted support. For chief executives and workforce leaders, this episode offers insight into how working collectively can support organisations through change and strengthen leadership across the sector.

    23 min
  3. PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: Collective Voice in Policy and Lobbying

    Apr 14

    PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: Collective Voice in Policy and Lobbying

    In this episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I ❤️ You Unplugged podcast series, and as part of the English Regions Collaborative, Rebecca Davis is joined by Gillian Bishop, Stuart Young and Kelly-Anne Phillips. Together they explore how regional organisations support councils through policy, lobbying and consultation, acting as trusted advocates between local government and national stakeholders to shape policy and strengthen a collective voice. For chief executives and national partners, the episode offers insight into how regional collaboration strengthens influence and ensures local priorities are heard nationally.

    20 min
  4. PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: The Collective Power of Regional Employers in Local Government

    Apr 7

    PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: The Collective Power of Regional Employers in Local Government

    In the first episode of the Regional Employers Collective PS I ❤️ You Unplugged podcast series, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive at North West Employers, Stuart Young, Executive Director at East Midlands Councils, and Kelly-Anne Phillips, Director of Policy and Internal Services at South West Councils. Together they explore the unique role regional employer organisations play in supporting councils, convening partners and representing regional priorities at both regional and national level. The conversation offers valuable insight for chief executives and national partners into how regional collaboration strengthens leadership across the sector, delivers value and impact for members and communities, and relies on the agility, trust and relationships needed to operate across complex regional systems.

    34 min
  5. PS I ❤️ You: How Leaders Can Build Resilience Through Change

    Mar 10

    PS I ❤️ You: How Leaders Can Build Resilience Through Change

    In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, Matthew Hotten, Senior Consultant at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Andrew Pain, WME Associate, speaker and coach with a passion for helping people embrace change. They explore how personal challenges, from food box choices to skydiving, help build the kind of emotional resilience needed in public sector leadership. Andrew shares insights on why change is rarely linear, the impact of the Stockdale Paradox, and the importance of leading with compassion when supporting teams through uncertainty.

    21 min
  6. PS I ♥️ You: Leading Under Pressure at the Tri-Sector Challenge

    Mar 3

    PS I ♥️ You: Leading Under Pressure at the Tri-Sector Challenge

    In this episode of the Public Sector I ♥️ You Podcast, Matthew Hotten, Senior Consultant at West Midlands Employers, is joined by members of the winning team from Worcester City Council following the 2025 Tri-Sector Challenge. Thalia, Allotment Officer, Craig, Building Services Engineer, and Ben, Communications Officer, share their experience of stepping into a high, pressure leadership simulation designed to mirror the realities of senior management in local government. They reflect on strategic decision making, managing competing priorities, handling media scrutiny, and the value of cross, departmental collaboration. The conversation also explores how experiential learning can deepen understanding of leadership pressures and strengthen organisational culture. This episode offers practical insight into building strategic capability and fostering stronger, more connected teams.

    20 min
  7. PS I ❤️ You Unplugged: Building Careers, Connections and Confidence in Local Government

    Feb 10

    PS I ❤️ 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 and executive recruitment, exploring networking, employer brand, senior leadership readiness, reorganisation, and why values, place and diversity matter for the future of public sector leadership.

    28 min
  8. PS I ❤️ You: Rethinking Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in HR

    Feb 3

    PS I ❤️ You: Rethinking Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in HR

    In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, Manny Sandhu, Director of Leadership & OD at West Midlands Employers, is joined by Shakil Butt, experienced HR Director, author of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Explained, and lecturer in Strategic HRM at Birmingham City University. They explore the realities of equity, diversity and inclusion in public sector organisations, including where EDI sits, why many approaches fall short, and how to embed inclusion into the fabric of leadership, policy and decision-making. With honesty, practical advice and a strong call for accountability, Shak shares why performative gestures don’t deliver change, and what truly inclusive organisations must do differently. Ideal for public sector leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about creating equitable workplaces.

    25 min
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About

Join us for a podcast that places the public sector at the heart of every conversation. In each episode, we explore the world of public sector work, bringing you impactful insights and solutions-driven conversations. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of public service or just interested in how things work behind the scenes, you will find valuable perspectives, advice, innovative ideas, and stories that make a difference!

Information

  • Creator
    West Midland Employers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Public Sector I HEART You
  • Show Website
    Public Sector I HEART You