Fora
FORA
ACE Fora aim to provide a unique opportunity for Executives of Arm’s-Length Bodies to gather in an open and informal setting.
The groups meet on a regular basis to share best practice and discuss various challenges they are facing with a supportive community of peers.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum
A popular and vibrant group, led by co-chairs, Chair Richard Bond, Innovation and Services Director, The Coal Authority and Dionne Spence, Chief Enforcement Officer and Deputy Registrar, General Pharmaceutical Council.
The forum meets on a quarterly basis to discuss issues topical on the ED&I agenda, and how to maintain momentum and drive improvements in this space across the public sector.
Sessions have focused on creating inclusive hybrid working environments, how to deliver inclusive services for a diverse public, and the use of employee fora.
Chief Executives, Chairs, Senior Directors, and EDI specialists are invited to join this group.
Co-Chair, Richard Bond
Co-Chair, Dionne Spence
HR Directors Forum
Steve O’Donoghue, Director of Corporate Services, Trade Remedies Authority chairs a lively conversation with HR Directors.
The group meets quarterly to exchange their experience and thoughts on various issues within the HR profession, focusing on two general conversations:
• Sharing good HR practice
• The future of public service
Previous meetings have covered the places for growth agenda, hybrid working, inclusive recruitment practices, and employee diversity networks.
HR Directors of Arm’s-Length Bodies are invited to join this group.
Co-chair, TBA
Co-chair, Steve O’Donoghue
Board Secretaries’ Forum
An engaging group for governance experts, ably led by Martin Skeats, Board Secretary of the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The forum meet on a quarterly basis, to share best practice and discuss various challenges they are facing within their profession, with a supportive community of peers.
Recent sessions have focused on the process of carrying out Board effectiveness reviews, documenting conflicts of interest, and lessons from the Public Accounts Committee report on government’s handling of ALBs.
The group also engages with government, inviting guest speakers from Cabinet Office to provide updates on the Public Bodies reform programme and participating in consultations.
Governance experts of ALBs are invited to join this group.
Chair, Martin Skeats
NEW – Finance & Corporate Services Directors’ Forum
The Finance and Corporate Services Directors’ Forum is the newest addition to our peer networks. This forum is open to directors of finance, and/or corporate services, or similar roles. The inaugural meeting of this forum took place on 8 October.
Eligibility: Public body heads of finance or corporate services are invited to join this group.
NEW – Technology and Innovation Forum Forum
Further information to be posted.
Eligibility: Public body heads of technology, information security and innovation are invited to join this group.
“I have greatly valued getting involved with ACE. Being a CEO can sometimes be a lonely place so an opportunity to network – informally and through more structured Action Learning Sets – has been incredibly helpful in terms of gaining insight into my approach to work-related issues, as well as a chance to discuss potential career options.”
CEO of a public body, ACE member
