In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You Podcast, Rebecca Davis, Chief Executive of West Midlands Employers, is joined by Steve Guest, Director of Recruitment and Delivery at Solace in Business, and Jess Mullinger, Executive Director of Sector Support at Solace in Business.

They explore how artificial intelligence is influencing executive recruitment in local government, where it can add value and where human judgement must remain central. The discussion covers ethical considerations, bias, assessment processes, public trust and the growing pressures in the senior recruitment market.

The episode also looks at succession planning, talent pipelines and how AI could help widen access to public sector leadership roles without losing authenticity or values.

A must‑listen for public sector leaders, HR professionals and anyone involved in senior recruitment and workforce strategy.

In this episode of the Public Sector I Heart You podcast, host Chloe Herrmann is joined by Daisy Killian from Warwick District Council, Aman Sandhu from City of Wolverhampton Council, and Will Oldham from the Local Government Association.

They discuss how local government apprenticeships can lead to sustainable, long‑term careers, the importance of raising awareness of early career routes, and the challenges councils face in building future talent pipelines.

Drawing on both personal experience and national insight, the conversation highlights why supporting early career talent is critical to workforce resilience and the future of public service.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.