On 27 March 2025 we were pleased to host the Q4 CEO Challenge, focused on partnerships in progress. The session explored new expectations of leadership and collaboration between public bodies and citizens.
With the ambition to tackle the complex social and economic challenges we face as a country, and in order to create the governing mandate needed for lasting change, the relationship between state and citizens is being reset.
By focusing on cross-cutting challenges, the framework of mission-led service delivery is the perfect opportunity to rethink collaborative governance and to allow the partnership between government, businesses, civil society and citizens to shape public policy and services. This defines expectations of collaboration and participatory policy making, which addresses community needs, driving economic growth and opening up opportunity to all.
The March 2025 CEO challenge session took a look at a people-centric and collaborative leadership approach to delivering public services by involving citizens and communities in identifying and tackling problems on the ground.
Our contributors Samantha Edwards, Director of Engagement and Communications, UK Covid 19 Inquiry, and Miriam Levin, Director of Participatory Programmes, Demos, engaged with our members to explore effective strategies for collaborative and people-centric leadership that support organisations in adapting to the ever-changing demands on more transparent and responsive public services delivery.
Speakers and participants noted that engagement with the public can:
- Improve policy
- Find ways through divisive issues
- Overcome politically stuck problems
- Build greater legitimacy for solutions
- Avoid the fiscal and trust costs of policy failure
- Build back trust in government
The conversation focused on how to foster more deliberative conversations with the public, enabling them to be part of the process for identifying the problem and the adequate solutions and on supporting the staff internally throughout the process.
With thanks to our contributors:
- Carolyn Bartlett, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at the Valuation Office Agency and member of the ACE Board (host)
- Samantha Edwards, Director of Engagement and Communications at the UK Covid 19 Inquiry
- Miriam Levin, Director of Participatory Programmes at Demos
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CEO Challenges are online sessions operating under Chatham House Rule, providing a safe space for leaders to convene and discuss challenges they are facing and key issues of interest to leaders of ALBs. These sessions are hosted by Carolyn Bartlett, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at the Valuation Office Agency and member of the ACE Board.
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