Chaired by Lord Bob Kerslake, the board comprises some of the most influential voices in the public realm with representatives from local and central government, health, education, not for profit and charity sectors.
The board will meet four times annually, with forums, research and discussion groups conducted on top of this throughout the year. During the first meeting, topics discussed were: devolution (its impact on local government and not for profit sectors); changing leadership needs (to be more commercial and entrepreneurial, in light of consumer expectations and digitisation of public services); and ensuring everyone has a voice (not just focusing on the most vulnerable, but increasingly those under 25 – who are facing increasing competition for jobs and who will have multiple careers during their lifetime).
The outputs of the advisory board will be to establish ideas for how to meet very different ranges of challenges over the next decade, influencing national debate and initiating change. From developing leadership and management skills for roles that may not even exist yet to tackling ongoing cyber threats, the public sector will go through significant change in the near future and needs the leadership and organisational capability and capacity to tackle it.
The inaugural members of the advisory board include[1]:
- Lord Bob Kerslake: President of the Local Government Association, Chair of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and former Head of the Civil Service.
- Baroness Rennie Fritchie DBE: Chair of the Lloyds Bank Foundation in England and Wales, Chancellor at the University of Gloucester and Chair of the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust.
- Professor Mark Hammond: Visiting Professor Public Policy Canterbury Christchurch University and former CEO of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
- Sir David Henshaw: Chairman of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and former Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council.
- Peter Kennedy: Corporate Services Director People for the Welsh Government, Peter is also on the Board of Transport for Wales.
- Javed Khan: CEO of Barnardo's and former CEO at Victim Support.
- Sir Martyn Lewis CBE: With 32 years’ experience in television journalism, Martyn now chairs NCVO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations) and The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
- Lynn McGill: Chair of East Cheshire NHS Trust and chairman of the trust’s Remuneration Committee.
- Barry Quirk CBE: Chief Executive of Lewisham Council and co-chair of the Design Commission.
- Doug Watkins FCIPD: Currently HR Director within Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Doug has extensive experience within the senior civil service supporting major transformational change within Whitehall’s largest delivery Departments.
Chairman of the Advisory Board, Lord Bob Kerslake said: “The launch of Penna’s Advisory Board will provide a much needed forum for discussion on the future shape of public service delivery models over the next decade. This includes the role of the commercial sector as potential partners and the future impact this may have on stimulating the economy as a whole. Whilst there are clear differences in terms of context there is also much that unites us across the public sector and we need to explore opportunities for shared learning, greater collaboration and innovative thinking.”
Gary Browning, CEO of Penna Plc comments: “We are thrilled that we have attracted renowned experts in public service leadership to join our team of advisors. The background and experience the board members bring will be invaluable as we strive to deliver forward thinking strategies to support our clients and partners during one of the most turbulent and challenging periods in modern times.”
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[1] Full profiles available on request