News

As interim recruitment in local government slows under financial pressures and reform, keeping professionals engaged is more important than ever. Discover how this evolving landscape can create fresh opportunities for adaptable professionals.

Amid recent proposals to eliminate roles dedicated to promoting diversity and equality, Pete John emphasises the significance of celebrating where we come from, embracing diversity, and flying our flags with pride.

In large, complex organisation, Chief Executives and Directors drive transformation, efficiencies, and satisfaction. In this article, Julie Towers discusses how measuring their impact with clear metrics could shift the narrative and highlight the substantial value they deliver. 

Are we just paying lip service to good governance? The culture of an organisation needs to support and reinforce this concept for it to be a success, as Rachael Morris explains.

Discover the key themes that emerged from the recent DCN conference, including the need for strong leadership and strategic recruitment to navigate the current housing crisis.

Watch as Julie Towers, sits down with Cllr Emma Williamson, to discuss her unwavering commitment to children and family wellbeing, and learn how to champion real change for young people.

With the Government announcing its intention to invite local government re-organisation, Julie Towers explores the potential impact on the sectors recruitment landscape.

Considering taking the next step in your Public Health career into a Director role? Hear from experienced experts and gain practical advice and inspiration for taking the next steps in your career

As we said goodbye to 2024, we welcomed Kate Shoesmith, Deputy Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to shed light on market trends and data.

As Penna concluded its 50th-anniversary celebrations in 2024, Rachael Morris chats with PPMA President Pam Parkes ahead of their 50^th celebrations in 2025.

Thinking about stepping into the world of interim work but unsure where to start? Hear from Interim industry experts and gain valuable advice, practical tips, and the confidence to take the next step in your career.

Hear from Amy Harhoff, the inspiring new Chief Executive of EMCCA, as she shares insights into the three exciting Executive Director opportunities.

Julie Towers sits down with Sandra Pollock, OBE, founder of The Women’s Awards to discuss the significance of the awards, and their role in celebrating female leadership and the transformative power of recognition.

Development isn't just endless workshops and formal training; it includes personal growth and earning from everyday interactions. Explore how coaching, mentoring, and networking can accelerate your career.

Ahead of NCASC 2024, explore how the UK’s social care sector is tackling challenges and discover key insights from sector leaders about what lies ahead for social care in this transformative period.

Camilla Alexander recaps our impactful Black History Month event, which focused on the theme "Reclaiming Narratives,", and included incredible speakers, moving poetry, and a dynamic panel discussion.

Young poet Zara Dieobi captivated our guests at our recent Black History Month event, reminding us all of the importance of owning our own stories. Read the full poem now.

Ahead of the National Children and Adults Conference 2024, and for Penna’s 50^th Birthday, Melanie Williams shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in adult social care, along with her hopes for the future of the sector. Watch the full interview with Melanie Williams and Amin Aziz.

Now in its fifth year, Julie Towers reflects on our Aspirant Chief Executive Programme, drawing on her experience in local government and executive recruitment to explore whether leaders born or made.

Driven by increasing demand for skilled professionals and changes in how local authorities manage housing services, George Agyemang, Jon Dilling and Pete John outline the significant shifts being experienced in the housing sector.

Recruiting behind-the-scenes heroes for our emergency services is crucial for public safety across the UK, but it comes with challenges. Discover how our pro-active Candidate Sourcing approach can help to find skilled, passionate candidates for hard-to-fill roles

During the recent CIPFA Conference in Manchester, our CIPFA-Penna team caught up with attendees, discussing ongoing challenges in the sector including solutions for recruitment amidst the ongoing talent shortage

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, discusses how Brent Council has successfully embraced the South Asian culture to foster a genuinely inclusive borough.

If you’re a passionate person, able to harness the potential of the region, learn more about the Chief Executive role now

From managing limited financial resources to handling crises, check out our first "Step Up to Success" webinar, featuring a discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the Director of Children’s Services role with insights from experienced professionals in the sector.

We’re welcoming the arrival of Ian to the team

Penna was proud to show our support of Local Government, by sponsoring three awards at the recent MJ Achievement Awards. In this article, Dawar Hashmi recognises the winners, and the hard work they do.

Senior Consultant Rachael Morris and Associate Director Matthew Jones reflect on the highlights of the recent CIPD Festival of Work Conference, covering important insights and learnings for the HR and OD profession.

The trend of female disengagement is on the rise. Join Isabella Rooke-Ley and Katy Stewart as they discuss tips for creating a more inclusive workplace.

We’re welcoming the arrival of Bruna to our team!

In a world where employer communications are more competitive than ever, how do you make your organisation stand out? Matt Johnson, Executive Creative Director at Penna, dives deep into the art of employer branding in his latest article.

Reflecting on identity, honesty and the challenges of being openly LGBTQIA+, Ali Tasker explores the internal conflict of hiding one’s true self and the significance of inclusivity in the workplace.

Explore leadership and public sector finance with Rob Whiteman, as he shares invaluable insights from his successful career ahead of standing down from his current role.

Reflecting on a pivotal debate in 2013, Thomas traces the journey of queer rights in the UK over the past eleven years. Dive deep into the role of government and local councils in fostering inclusivity, and the critical need for continued activism.

From navigating small-town prejudices to finding acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community, Zara shares the importance of being true to oneself. To celebrate PRIDE 2024, join us in celebrating diversity, fostering understanding, and empowering individuals to embrace their authentic identities.

Dive into the dynamic world of Public Sector HR & OD, with insights gathered from the recent PPMA conference. Reflecting on key takeaways and envisioning for the future, our sector specialists Matthew Jones and Rachael Morris take a look at the transformative journey ahead.

Navigating the routes to the top HR job doesn’t need to be a circus. Watch the webinar now and ensuring you are primed and ready for centre-stage

In today's dynamic job market, the relationship between candidates and employers is undergoing a profound transformation. Are recent technological advancements leading to a decrease in candidate engagement, or is it time to rethink the traditional candidate journey?

Amin Aziz and Zeynep Livatyali-Esen, Senior Consultants at Penna share Insights from the recent ‘The Future of Intelligence in Local Government’ event at Brent Council

Are we winning the war or losing the battle? Toni Hall and Julie Towers, Directors at Penna Executive Recruitment share their experience.

Reflecting on his first three months at Penna, James Miller delves into the intricacies of talent acquisition, digital transformation, and financial constraints whilst navigating the ever-evolving job market.

We’re welcoming the arrival of Jess to our Attraction and Communications team!

As we reflect on our Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Alexis Curtis-Harris’ recent achievement, having been nominated at the British Diversity Awards, Sonia Tanda takes a look at the ongoing journey towards true inclusivity, and the collective effort needed to shape a more balanced world.

A champion for great HR practices in the public sector, we discuss with Gordon McFarlane, the current President of the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) his tenure, work, and experiences.

With the allure of higher salaries and a faster pace in the contractor market shrinking the pool of qualified candidates, discover potential solutions for local governments to bridge the economic development skills gap and empower local economies

Other sectors are moving forward, but women remain underrepresented in senior tech roles within Local Government. Learn the importance of inclusion and diverse perspectives when creating a more equitable future.

What would a world be like if women were truly equal? Explore the challenges and triumphs of women in the workplace, including the gender pay gap, workplace culture, and the impact of caregiving responsibilities.

Juggling motherhood and a fulfilling career is a tightrope walk many women face. Explore the challenges women encounter in returning to work after maternity leave in Grace Killick’s article

Jon’s passion for providing great recruitment solutions is well known, and we’re celebrating his promotion to Head of Business Solutions in our Candidate Sourcing team

We’re celebrating Catherine’s recent promotion to Consultant in our CIPFA Penna, Executive Interim team

George Agyemang and Pete John, Lead Place Recruiters at Penna share their experience on the leadership talent market for Place, Regeneration and Growth.

HR and OD leaders play a vital role in driving positive transformation and addressing sector challenges. Find out how their expertise can provide stability during times of uncertainty.

We are thrilled to announce that Penna has chosen Shelter as our charity for 2024. Discover more about the charity, and why we have chosen to support them in our 50^th year.

As we start a new calendar year and the sector starts to speculate about the impact of the current economic conditions and forthcoming elections in the year ahead, Jon Dilling, Toni Hall, Dawar Hashmi and Julie Towers share their talent market insights as we head into 2024

Building an employer brand is no longer about settling on a position and staying there. Things move. The world changes. So, your brand has to change too. Discover what our team learned at the recent World Employer Branding Day conference.

A lot goes into keeping a business at the forefront of its industry. Adaptability. Innovation. Expertise. We take a trip down memory lane with Gary, who has been an incredibly vital part of Penna’s journey.

As we mark five successful decades of delivering creative recruitment solutions to our clients, we welcome Kathryn as our new Managing Director.

Struggling to attract candidates of the right calibre for key roles is a big issue in the current climate. Learn how to adapt your recruitment approach to harness the potential of passive candidates.

We’re welcoming the arrival of James to our team!

In a recent PPMA webinar, Penna’s Rachael Morris and London Borough of Hounslow and SOCITM’s Mark Lumley delved into the advantages and challenges of AI in the public sector.

Rachael Morris talks to some of the past winners of the Rising Star award and the Corporate Director of the Year award to understand what winning the award meant to them and their careers.

We’re delighted John chose to join Penna.

In light of the new CQC inspections coming into the Adult Social Care world, Penna sits down with two experienced Directors of Adults Social Care to talk all about their experiences with the CQC pilot.

Find out how your team can recruit and retain talent in the changing Public Sector landscape

In celebration of UK Disability History Month, our Head of EDI Alexis Curtis-Harris explores how we can reshape perceptions and make steps towards a more inclusive world

We’re thrilled to announce that from January 1st 2024, Kathryn Kempster will be taking on the role of Managing Director of Penna.

We’re welcoming the arrival of Rachael to our Executive Search team!

After joining Penna’s Local Government Executive Interim team last year, Grace reflects on her experience getting to know the brand-new world of ‘recruitment’.

With two-thirds of budgets going to social care, leaving essential services underfunded, local governments are facing many financial challenges. Read Karima’s recent MJ article to learn some of the ideas that councils can consider for combating the financial crisis

Our own Camilla Alexander sat down with Bernadette Thompson OBE, Donna Fraser OBE and Sandra Pollock OBE, to discuss how to empower more Black women in leadership roles.

Our recent BHM event made a profound impact on all who attended, and was kicked off in style by George, who shared his own experiences with the important role models in his life.

Listen to Sandra Pollock OBE’s emotional and thought-provoking self-penned poem, originally shared at our recent Black History Month event.

Camilla Alexander takes us through our recent Black History Month event, which included a remarkable lineup of guest speakers and left an indelible mark on all those in attendance

Today, Black women are often celebrated for their incredible strength, and rightly so. Alexis Curtis Harris takes the opportunity to re-examine the narrative, and whether it creates more harm than good.

In honour of Black History Month, Dawar Hashmi's recent MJ article delves into its significance within local government leadership, emphasising the need for reflection, celebration, and, most critically, action.

In honour of National Care Leavers Week, our Managing Director Julie Towers sat down with Tom to discuss the importance of the week, his personal experience of care, and how we can all do more.

Five brilliant Black women we think you should know about. Our very own Content and Copy Writer Camilla Alexander shines a spotlight on just a few iconic Black Women who have inspired her.

As one of the most competitive markets in local government, many of our clients ask us how to attract more Public Health talent. Nick Raper, Penna’s Public Health lead shares tips and tricks to help your role stand out.

What makes a good Employee Value Proposition for the Local Government Officer of today? Watch the recent webinar hosted by our Senior Consultant Rachael Morris and the PPMA, and learn how the ‘window’ into organisations is more crucial than ever.

The recently published LGA Local Government Workforce Survey showed more than nine out of ten local authorities are experiencing staff recruitment and retention issues. Find out how Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council, Stephen Young and Penna’s Senior Consultant Executive Interim, George Agyemang are tackling the situation.

Growing up in the 1970’s in the UK as a British Asian was a very interesting time. On the one hand, I was proud of my heritage, but on the other, I also wanted to conform and fit in. How do you find the balance between the two?

While some third-party plugins and tools may not be compatible with accessibility guidelines, this shouldn’t deter website developers. Discover which inventive and innovative approaches can be adopted when creating an accessible website.

As the talent pool continues to dwindle, recruitment is becoming more challenging. Can hiring good interim talent with clearly defined deliverables be the answer? Find out more by reading Matt Jones’ recent MJ article.

After watching a great conversation between two of my Penna colleagues discussing South Asian heritage month, I was struck by my own ignorance and wanted to find out more. Here are some of the things I learned.

As concerns about productivity challenges in the private and public sectors grow, will the government’s proposed review and crackdown on equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and jobs effectively tackle the issues?

Penna was proud to sponsor two awards at the recent MJ Awards, with our very own Dawar Hashmi and Ben Cox leading the judging panels for Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team of the Year. Dawar reflected on the experience in a recent article published in the MJ – read the full article now.

As I sit down with the LGBTQ+ advocate and campaigner Deon Pillay for Penna and Stafford-Long's Pride Talk on Zoom, I wonder what he will say about Pride. Will he pat us all on the back and reward our rainbow lanyards with some feel good platitudes about inclusion and feeling proud?

With world’s rapidly changing job market, has the idea of retirement become overrated? Penna’s Strategy Director, Tristan Moakes, and Head of EDI, Alexis Curtis-Harris recently led a session with the PPMA discussing how these trends might affect how we think about retirement.

In honour of Pride, Zeynep Livatyali-Esen (Associate Consultant, Local Government) details her own experiences with bi-erasure, coming out and having the bravery to 'externalise the eye-rolls'.

Penna’s Claire MacLeod (Senior Consultant, Enterprise) had the privilege of attending this year’s UHR conference. Covering a wide range of topics, Claire shares with us the main takeaways from the day, including a focus on recruitment and retention, inclusive leadership, and the positive impact of mentoring.

The integration of diverse and inclusive spaces within the workplace has become increasingly important in recent years. Amin Aziz and Sapna Sharma recently hosted a webinar to address the barriers preventing inclusive practices within organisations and discuss actionable steps to rectify the situation.

Penna’s Claire MacLeod recently had the privilege of leading a workshop at the 2023 AHUA conference. Find out more about her experience and how your institute can attract in-demand talent.

With job vacancies in the UK still at over 1 mill, could the retired 50-64 age group provide the answer? Find out how the changing attitude towards retirement may help to combat the current talent shortages. Read Tristan's full article now

Policy, Purpose, Politics. These are just three of the P’s that Julie recommended Local Government focus on when she spoke at the DCN Staff Development Programme...

As the war for talent rages on, join us as we talk to leading market experts..

We know how challenging recruiting and retaining social workers is, and how vital their work is.

Here at Penna, we want to help, not just in Social Work Week...

Any Employer Value Proposition – particularly in this climate – needs to be forward-looking. But what does the future hold for EVPs themselves?...

The recruiting world has changed over the last few years, and it really is a job seekers market now. So, employers really have to think about what jobseekers want to see in order to attract the right talent.

To celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2023, we sat down with our recent work experience placement, Dylan Conti, to talk about neurodiversity in the workplace.

It's always a pleasure to attend the District Councils’ Network (DCN) conference as it's a great opportunity to hear what's going on in the work of district councils...

Imagine this: You’ve just landed an interview for your dream role. You’ve got the passion, skills and experience. But midway through answering a question, your mind goes blank…

Change lives – through your leadership.

Zeynep Esen of Penna talks about the value of shadowing a local authority Director for a day.

We’re joined by leading industry figures as they address the shrinking candidate pool and how local government can look beyond its own industry to find undiscovered talent.

Huge efforts have taken place in recent years to minimise discrimination in society and the workplace. These advances across...

It seems like every second of every year a new technology is being rolled out into the world, and as we get our heads around...

Julie Towers of Penna chairs a webinar and asks….What’s changing and how can we do more?

Penna is delighted to announce its recent appointment as an approved supplier of executive recruitment services on...

Black History Month 2022’s theme is ‘Time for Change: Action, not Words’. So, we were delighted to have partnered with...

Hearing from so many passionate industry leaders at our recent ‘Diversity in the Public Sector...

Our recent ‘Diversity in the Public Sector – What has changed since the death of George Floyd’...

Penna was proud to present ‘Diversity in the Public Sector – What has changed since the death of George Floyd’...

This excerpt from our Black History Month Event around Diversity in the Public sector needs little introduction...

To kick off our Black History Month Event around Diversity in the Public Sector, our very own Dawar Hashmi opened up...

World Mental Health Day allows us all an opportunity to pause and think about ourselves and how we are feeling

We are so proud to showcase Tinuke’s amazing work in our office. Penna’s ‘Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion’, Alexis Curtis-Harris, sits down to find out more about the artist and the painting!

Penna proudly presented The MJ Senior Leadership Team Award at 2022’s ceremony to Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council. We caught up with their Deputy Chief Executive, Chris Sinnott, and Chief Executive, Gary Hall, to talk about how they united two district authorities, created change in their local communities, and about what they think won them the award.

Volunteers’ Week ran 1-7 June and is an annual event that has completed its 38^th year. The annual event is a chance to recognize the contribution volunteers make and to say thank you to everyone involved. Here at Penna, not only do we provide all our employees with a Volunteering Day every year, but we also encourage additional volunteering schemes.

This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme is #BreakTheBias. At Penna and Stafford Long we wished to share our support by exploring perspectives from people across our business, to understand how they challenge bias and elevate the visibility of women in their work as trusted recruitment advisors. From our Managing Directors to those just starting out in their careers, we asked our employees “how do you pledge to break biases towards women in your work at Penna and Stafford Long?”

Penna is delighted to announce that in February, Dawar Hashmi will be joining us as a Director in our Executive Search business. Find out more about his new role, and ambitions for local government executive recruitment. 

Our Senior Consultant with CIPFA-Penna, Jonathon Sheppard, caught up with John Betts to talk through what an average day looks like as a busy Finance interim.

Penna is proud to be a signatory to the new Care Leavers’ Employer Friendly Charter, the launch of which took place on Thursday, 28 October 2021. Julie Towers, our Managing Director and member of the CLC Business Council, spoke about her commitment to the principles of the charter and her hope for a better future for care leavers. Read on to find out more and sign up to the charter!

Today is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and some of our Penna family members - Louise Darkwah, Leah James and Alexis Curtis-Harris - joined our Penna Podcast to have an open and honest discussion around the ongoing impact of the slave trade on Black communities.

From TikTok to the trends making students tick, Robert Gordon University have produced some seriously innovative marketing of late. On this episode of Penna Podcasts our Education Client Manager, Andy Collins, had a virtual coffee with RGU's Senior Marketing Manager, Sarah Gilmour, to find out what's on their marketing horizon during the Clearing period.

At Penna, we don't just celebrate young people – we welcome early careers talent into our family. And so, for early careers month, we speak to Louise Darkwah, our new Diversity and Inclusion Delivery Manager.

When clients ask us, “What’s your best asset?” we tell them, it’s our people. At Penna, we call ourselves a family because we support, celebrate, accept and value everyone. So you can imagine our adulation when we heard from our newest Family member, Copywriter, Jane Jardine, with three things she’s learnt in just one month, working with us. Here are Jane’s insights, in her own words.

We're celebrating International Youth Day at Penna, which this year takes the theme of ‘Transforming food systems. Youth innovation for human and planetary health'. We asked some of our family 'What’s one thing you’re doing to protect the planet for the youth of tomorrow?'. Here’s what they said.

For early careers month, our D&I Lead, Alexis Curtis-Harris speaks to two Penna family members just starting their careers; Jessika Dawar (Research Assistant: Marketing and Bids) and Leah James (Marketing Intern).

On this episode of Penna's podcast, we're exploring the all-things assessment and selection. Assessment is a vital step in securing candidates, from Chief Executives to Graduates. Our in-house Business Psychologist and Head of Assessment Ann Hartley takes us through the possibilities provided by virtual assessment centres.

Thank you to every interim who took time to share their insights in the 2021 IIM Survey. Read the reflections from the Penna team here. 

In this edition of Penna Podcasts we look at the career of one of the most respected marketing minds in higher education; Ailie Ferrari. Penna's Head of Education, Jane Johns, talks to Ailie about the shifts in student attraction she's seen through her career, her ambitions for her new role with the University of Bradford and more.

This week on Penna's podcast, we take a deep dive into the wonderful world of virtual events. Penna's experts Lara Dawson and Emma Cremnitz offer their take on creating an amazing virtual experience; from tackling video call fatigue to gamification and cutting edge platforms.

Working remotely now for a lot of us isn’t a new thing. But one aspect that does feel a little unfamiliar is onboarding. The whole process is completely remote, so how should onboarding be done and how can new employees be made to feel comfortable when they haven’t met you in person?

Penna are delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Tromans to our Executive Search Practice.

To mark Black Inclusion Week our Commercial Director, Sue Atkinson, sat down with Penna's in-house diversity and inclusion expert Alexis Curtis-Harris. Alexis has worked on award-winning projects for clients including Bank of England and has transformed the way we approach our own D&I journey at Penna.

On this episode of Penna Podcasts we're joined by Educations Media Group Account Director Sarah Messenger. Through the global platform educations.com Sarah supports universities with their international student recruitment.

This episode on Penna Podcasts we're discussing the actions universities should take to reach and engage parents and carers in the student marketing mix. Parents and carers are important stakeholders and must be considered as a key voice in university selection.

UA92 is a game-changing educational experience designed to unlock greatness, from the Class of 92 and Lancaster University. In our first episode, Penna Education's Senior Client Manager Jack Thorogood talks to them about the journey of the university, from a basement in Old Trafford five years ago, to the unique education experience they offer to students today.

Penna's Commercial Director Sue Atkinson introduces Penna's new podcast series. Subscribe for up-to-the-minute insights on all things people and talent. Plus exclusive interviews of leading lights in our networks of CEOs, HRDs, D&I leads and more.

Toni Hall, Director of Public Sector Executive Interim, looks at the practicalities of managing your mental wellbeing as an Interim manager.

At Penna we’re privileged to work with front-line staff from social care, to the NHS, higher education, to the emergency services

Our Director of Public Sector Executive search, Ben Cox, caught up with Matt Prosser to talk through what an average day looks like as a busy Chief Executive of a large unitary authority.

This National Apprenticeship Week, Penna celebrates student talent in a new partnership with MyKindaFuture.

A lot can change in 2 years and it certainly did for Penna Consultant and Executive Interim specialist, Zeynep Livatyali-Esen

How can the Higher Education sector capitalise on transferable skills when recruiting? Jon Dilling, Penna’s Sourcing Lead, looks at the options available to HR colleagues in HE.

Our Sourcing Lead Jon Dilling reflects on the last year, offering his insight and top tips for HR professionals recruiting in the public sector in 2021.

Two new recruits join the CIPFA-Penna Practice this September as part of Penna’s team expansion in the north of England...

There is no mistaking that this is a defining moment for local government; the COVID-19 crisis will change the way Councils...

Much of the coverage of the COVID-19 response has focused on the capital. But organisations outside London are...

Jon Dilling looks at trends and future predictions for the changing role of middle managers. Those at delivery level have...

Organisations are investing significant time in “re-imaging and re-thinking” many aspects of the #futureofwork.

Class of ’21 are a unique breed of candidates, shaped by their experiences of the digital world and COVID-19’s career and academic curtailing influence...

In part 1 of our Class of ’21 series, we looked at the impact of Covid-19 on the Class of ‘21 and their university experience...

Penna are delighted to announce that Helen Alwell and Josh Bembridge have been promoted to the position of Senior Consultants. They have been delivering a high-quality service to both candidates as well as clients, and the entire team at Penna joins in congratulating them!