16/10/2024
News
Reflections on Public Service: Insights from the Inaugural Kerslake Memorial Lecture
On 8 October 2024, The PSC hosted the Inaugural Kerslake Memorial Lecture, honouring the legacy of Lord Bob Kerslake, our former chair.
This event brought together our clients, alumni, associates and employees to celebrate Bob – a man who profoundly impacted British public services, from housing to climate sustainability.
The evening began with touching opening remarks from Bob's family, setting a personal tone for the proceedings. It also included in-person networking, providing attendees a chance to reflect on Bob's immense contribution and share the great work that they were doing to continue his legacy.
The centrepiece of the event was a lecture delivered by Helene Reardon-Bond OBE. Following her distinguished career as a senior civil servant and champion of equality and diversity, Bob was influential in the development of her career. This influence led Helene to become Head of the Preparing for Government team at the future potential government administration. Bob’s impact, as Helene noted, "changed the course of [her] life."
Helene’s lecture wove together personal experiences and her career journey with broader insights into public services and Bob's approach to delivery. Below, we share some of the interesting insights that Helene highlighted.
1. Aligning Structure with Strategy
Following an independent review by Bob Kerslake, which was commissioned by the General Secretary, David Evans, Helene was asked to lead the 'Organise to Win' initiative. This involved a major restructuring to align the organisation with its strategic goals. She emphasised the need for structure, skills, and culture to match the overall strategy. Reflecting on challenges, she noted, "We lacked a clear sense of direction and purpose... It was hard to make decisions." The initiative addressed these issues by restructuring teams and bringing in new skilled staff with a stronger focus on digital campaigning.
2. Building Trust and Integrity
A central lesson of Helene's career was that "success is built on relationships, trust and integrity and without this you will fail." In public services, this meant fostering an environment where stakeholders could trust both the process and the people leading change. She shared how this approach had been crucial in her work, where building trust with leadership teams was often initially challenging. By producing high-quality plans and providing expert advice, she fostered effective collaboration.
3. Creating a Unified Approach
Helene highlighted the importance of a "ONE TEAM approach", particularly in breaking down silos and removing factionalism. This lesson is crucial for public services, where different departments and agencies often need to work seamlessly together to deliver effective outcomes and agreed goals.
4. Embracing Expertise and Diverse Perspectives
Helene consistently brought together diverse experts in her work. This approach, she argued, is vital for tackling complex public service challenges. In Preparing for Government, she consulted a wide range of experts including former members of the major political parties, ex-Permanent Secretaries, and senior civil servants, who all wanted good government.
5. Focusing on Long-term Preparedness
Helene underscored the importance of long-term planning in public service. She detailed how they prepared leaders and their teams through extensive training, policy mapping, and delivery planning. This thorough preparation aimed to ensure that potential new Secretaries of State and their advisers would be ready to take the reins with clarity over their priorities.
Helene's emphasis on relationships, integrity, and collaboration aligned perfectly with Bob's philosophy. Bob had a talent for bringing together talented individuals, focusing on delivery and impact, maintaining a long-term vision, and demonstrating unwavering commitment to public service - something Helene has exemplified throughout her career.
The PSC extends heartfelt thanks to all who attended the Inaugural Kerslake Memorial Lecture. The diverse mix of clients, alumni, and employees created a rich environment for reflection and discussion, embodying the collaborative spirit that Bob championed throughout his career. Your participation ensures that his legacy continues to inspire and shape the future of public service.
As Helene concluded: "There is nothing better and more accelerating than putting great people together and watching them thrive and deliver."
The PSC will be organising future Kerslake Memorial Lectures on an annual basis. To stay informed about next year's lecture and our other events, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter and be part of this ongoing conversation about the future of public services.
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