Local government faces a growing leadership challenge not just in attracting talent, but in how we recruit it. Drawing on Stuart Longbottom’s research, this blog explores why traditional e-recruitment methods often fail to deliver the right fit at executive level, and what councils can do differently. From prioritising character over credentials to rethinking candidate experience, it’s time to modernise how we hire.

Becoming a Director of Policy in local government is a bold step into strategic leadership. This guide explores the essential skills you’ll need from political acuity to emotional intelligence and outlines what to prioritise in your first 100 days. With insights from senior officers and key statistics on sector challenges, it’s a practical roadmap for turning ambition into impact. Lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

IR35 compliance is vital for councils, but blanket inside IR35 determinations can inflate costs and limit access to talent. HMRC’s CEST tool helps, but must be used alongside expert advice and documented “reasonable care.” Case studies show that poor governance leads to penalties, while smarter strategies like individual assessments and manager training enable compliant, cost-effective engagements. Councils must balance risk with opportunity to deliver better outcomes.

Stepping into the role of DPH means leading with vision, navigating political complexity, and driving change across systems. This guide offers aspiring leaders a clear roadmap: the essential skills to develop, what to focus on in your first 100 days, and the common pitfalls to avoid. If you're ready to lead with courage, compassion, and clarity, this role might just be your calling.

Becoming a Director of Adult Social Services is one of the most demanding and rewarding roles in local government. It requires strategic vision, emotional intelligence, political skill, and a deep commitment to improving lives. This guide explores what aspiring leaders need to know, what to focus on in their first 100 days, and what pitfalls to avoid. If you're ready to lead with purpose and put people at the heart of care, this could be your next step.

Being a Director of Children’s Services is more than a job it’s a calling. You lead with purpose, shaping lives and safeguarding futures. As Yvette Stanley said, “Great leadership in children’s social care goes hand in hand with great social work. It’s a golden thread from the top of the department to the frontline.” If you’re ready to lead with courage, compassion, and clarity, then the future of children’s services might just be yours to shape.

The Head of Property role in local government is more than managing buildings it’s about shaping places, enabling services, and delivering public value. With estates worth hundreds of millions, strategic leadership is essential. From compliance and sustainability to stakeholder engagement and digital transformation, success demands vision, resilience, and collaboration. If you're ready to lead, ask: how can our estate better serve our people, our services, and our future?

Local government recruitment must go deeper than job specs and salary bands. Our time on earth is finite and that truth should shape how we attract talent. By embracing conversations around mortality, we invite candidates to reflect on purpose, legacy, and impact. This isn’t just a job it’s a chance to make every day count. Let’s be bold enough to say: this work matters, and so does your time. In local government, every day can be a day well spent.

The Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer is more than a legal adviser they are the ethical backbone of the council. This guide explores what aspiring Monitoring Officers need to know to be ready, what to prioritise from day one, and what pitfalls to avoid. From mastering governance and building political awareness to leading with integrity and courage, discover how to become the council’s conscience and shape the future of local government.

Becoming a Chief Executive in local government is a major leadership leap one that demands strategic thinking, political acumen, and authentic leadership. This blog explores what aspiring Chief Executives need to know to prepare, what to prioritise on day one, and what to avoid. Drawing on insights from experienced leaders, it offers practical advice on building trust, shaping culture, and leading with confidence in a complex system.

Stepping into the role of Director of Highways and Infrastructure isn’t just about managing roads it’s about leading with vision, shaping communities, and delivering public value. From strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to climate resilience and workforce development, this blog explores what aspiring leaders need to know, think about, and avoid to thrive in one of local government’s most impactful roles.

The Golden Triangle of governance: Monitoring Officer, Section 151 Officer, and Head of Paid Service, is the foundation of council success. When these statutory roles collaborate effectively, councils achieve financial stability, legal compliance, and public trust. But when cohesion breaks down, the consequences can be severe. This blog explores what each role needs to excel, how to foster collaboration, and why getting it right is essential for resilient local government.

In 1995, the UK government responded to the “cash-for-questions” scandal a moment that shook public confidence in elected officials by...

The Director of Housing is one of the most influential roles in local government combining strategic leadership, technical compliance, and community impact. Success means mastering financial oversight, political navigation, and resident engagement, while avoiding pitfalls like rushed change and micromanagement. It’s not just about managing homes it’s about shaping lives with empathy, integrity, and purpose. Lead with confidence, grounded in truth and fairness.

The Director of HR in local government plays a vital role in shaping the future of public service. This is a leadership position that demands strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of workforce transformation. From using data to drive decisions to leading cultural change and championing inclusion, today’s HR leaders must be proactive, resilient, and people-focused. If you are ready to lead with purpose, this could be your next great chapter.

Public procurement now accounts for nearly a third of UK public spending, placing Directors of Procurement at the heart of public service delivery. With the Procurement Act 2023 in force, councils need leaders who combine strategic insight, commercial acumen, and a commitment to transparency and social value. This blog explores the skills needed to succeed, what to prioritise from day one, and the common pitfalls to avoid offering a roadmap for those ready to lead procurement

Digital transformation in local government is more than technology. It is a leadership challenge that demands bold thinking, inclusive design, and strategic vision. Directors of Technology must lead change that improves lives, from tackling legacy systems and building cyber resilience to driving data-led decisions and digital inclusion. With public expectations rising and satisfaction falling, the sector needs visionary leaders now more than ever.

In this episode of The Truth About Local Government, Councillor John Merry CBE shares how cities can lead the charge in meeting the UK’s target of 1.5 million new homes. From the transformation of Salford Quays to the role of Key Cities, John emphasises the need for public-private partnerships, planning certainty, and building communities not just homes. “We need to build the infrastructure… not just properties in an empty field.”

Cathy Palmer, Director of Regeneration Delivery at Walker Sime, joins the Truth About Local Government podcast to explore why some masterplans succeed while others fail. Drawing on her experience in both local government and consultancy, Cathy highlights the importance of early-stage alignment, strong governance, realistic funding, and community engagement. She shares lessons from projects like Birkenhead 2040 and Bolton, offering practical insights for regeneration leaders.

In local government, change is constant, but grief is often ignored. Whether it’s a council merger, a building closure, or leadership transition, emotional loss must be acknowledged. Without space to say goodbye, staff and communities struggle to embrace the future. This blog explores why grief matters, how to support transitions, and why emotionally intelligent leadership is key to sustainable change.