Hello PPMA members and friends

As things begin to settle down after last week’s brilliant and inspiring 50th Anniversary PPMA Annual Conference at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, we continue the celebrations by sharing 50 stories that highlight the people and moments that have defined our legacy. In this blog post, we’re spotlighting Barry Pirie, PPMA President in 2015/16 — a significant year marking the 40th Anniversary of both SOCPO and PPMA. We asked him to reflect on his time as President and share some personal insights from his tenure.

🎓 What year were you President?

I had the privilege of being PPMA President in 2015/16, during our Ruby Anniversary — 40 years of SOCPO and PPMA.

One of the highlights was hosting a 40th Anniversary Lunch at the House of Lords on Thursday 11th June 2015, supported by the Lord Bichard KCB. It was an honour to welcome our Past Presidents for such a special occasion. I was also proud to represent PPMA and SOLACE at The Queen’s Garden Party — a truly memorable experience.

💡 What inspired you to take on the role?

Quite simply, I wanted to give my time and energy to an organisation I deeply care about. PPMA has always been part of my professional identity — and being able to support those entering the public sector was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

I believe in helping our colleagues to be proud, passionate, and professional, delivering high-performing services to communities across the UK.

📝 Describe your presidency in three words:

Passionate. Relevant. Responsive.

🏆 What achievement are you most proud of?

I’m proud to have led PPMA during challenging times. But more than anything, I value the work we did to help our members understand the combined value of our profession — and the power of being part of a strong, supportive association.

🌟 Who inspired you most during your tenure?

I’ve been lucky to work with many inspiring colleagues over the years — far too many to name! But I was particularly awe-inspired by our Past Presidents. Meeting them at the House of Lords celebration was a powerful reminder of the legacy we’re part of.

🔮 What do you see as the biggest challenges for the profession in the years ahead?

The challenges we face require a clear focus on what I call the trinity of Purpose, Passion, and Performance:

  • Purpose: The true test of a nation — and a profession — is how it responds in tough times. Now more than ever, we need to be bold, focused, and lead with clarity to build resilient, flexible workforces.

  • Passion: Trust your instincts. Be bold, innovative, and thoughtful. Balancing decisiveness with empathy is the hallmark of great leadership.

  • Performance: We must hold ourselves and our teams to the highest standards — not just within HR, but across our organisations. Our role in driving overall performance is critical to public service success.

Barry continues to serve on the PPMA Board and is a well-respected figure among members and sponsors alike. His commitment to PPMA and the profession continues to inspire us — and his reflections are a powerful reminder of the values that keep our community strong.

Here’s to the next 50 years of Purpose, Passion, and Performance.