Here’s a lovely reminder of the brilliant PPMA Annual Seminar!  The two video’s below feature the highlights from both days and include interviews with some of the speakers along with delegates and sponsors. Caroline kicks things off by introducing day 1 and Karen introduces day 2.  She also gives a sneak preview about what’s in store for next year’s conference in Newcastle/Gateshead.

We hope that you enjoy and share the films!

DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 2 HIGHTLIGHTS

Hello PPMA members and friends

I don’t know about you, but I had the time of my life last week in Bristol.  What’s more, I was lucky enough to spend that time with my two families, my PPMA family and my own family, my husband Kevin and my kids James and Sarah.  I feel it is important we recognise we don’t want one without the other.  I hope you have recovered over the Bank Holiday weekend.

I’m still on such a high – I’m so proud of my OneSource team and PPMA officers who helped put together such a great conference.  And of course, I am so proud of all of you – from celebrating our amazing award winners to seeing you participate so fully in conference was a real sight to see.  My mind is still buzzing from listening to all of our amazing speakers, sponsors and all of you, our members. I’m chuffed as well that we had a lot of non PPMA members visit including some Chief Executives!!  We’ve got to make sure that PPMA conferences continue to be a place that Chief Executives and other Senior Directors want to be seen at for many years to come.

We’re keen to get your feedback on the conference.  Thanks to all of you already who have sent emails, tweeted, texted and messaged on ‘LinkedIn’ already.  A survey will be out this week and I strongly encourage you to complete it, we’re dependent on you being honest with us, so please share your views with us.

We’re starting to collate feedback from our Region workshops as well and there’ll be much more about how I will be working with PPMA Board and Regional Chairs specifically to energise our work this year.  It is important as many of you are involved as possible as we can only be a success with many hands helping and we have some great research topics to get involved with.

As soon as we have conference materials and videos done, we’ll post them on the website.  And talking about the website, our new one is really great – check it out as soon as you can.  I have already been sharing it with colleagues and I’ll do the same with conference materials too – please make sure you spread the word about our fantastic event last week.

There’ll be much more from me shortly.  In the meantime, I reiterate how proud I am to be your President and I thank each and every one of your from the bottom of my heart for last week’s amazing event.

Hello All,

It’s just that far into a dreary and very cold January to congratulate those whose resolutions hold and reassuring the dry January brigade that they are nearly there. I always feel that, once we get through January the year is truly settled and we can all focus on what needs doing. Our thoughts turn to Spring. There are some very brave little snowdrops in my garden which are a joy to behold – and some foolhardy Magnolia Buds – the rest looks very dull and in need of some serious work.

The same goes for the world of Local Government HR. There are signs of new things to come – mainly cock-eyed legislation, more pressure on the budgets and of course IR35 and the Apprenticeships Levy to keep us entertained. In the longer term the proposed referendum in Surrey and the deepening concerns over funding for Social Care will make for some difficult decisions and serious work.

Like the garden, our teams need nurturing and encouraging so that they can grow and flourish. We need to be mindful – literally and metaphorically – of the importance of good leadership and good engagement with staff during difficult times. We have led and supported so much change already, transforming services and reshaping the workforce.

This has been hard work and will continue to be so let’s recognise that effort and do what we can to support our staff and each other through the next round of challenges. Spring cleaning, streamlining and refreshing will help us to renew our focus and keep on delivering well across the sector. Keep learning, keep growing and keep flourishing.

Alongside this there is the PPMA Seminar 2017 in Bristol on 27th and 28th April. This promises to be the best yet with Peter Cheese and other great speakers, fantastic workshops and of course the Awards Dinner.  Have you booked yet? Don’t miss the early bird discount on offer. Have you got your awards entries ready? It would be great to see a record showcase of excellence this year. There is so much brilliant work out there, we need to see it and share it. Let’s have a great show of blooming marvellous effort to celebrate.

The Seminar dates co-incide with my last 2 working days in Local Government – how lovely for me to spend my last 2 days with such a fabulous assembly. I am looking forward to seeing everyone – it won’t be the least you see of me by the way – and handing over to Caroline will mark a change and a refocusing of PPMA. Caroline will blossom beautifully as our new President and, supported ably by Karen, will take us through the coming seasons with confidence and colour.

Sue Evans

PPMA President

We’re delighted to announce the launch of of our 2017 Excellence in People Management Awards and this video featuring Caroline Nugent, PPMA VP, Andrew Blake-Herbery CX at Havering Council and Stacey-Rebekka Karlsson Head of Government and Public Services at Guardian News and Media, explains more about the awards and this year’s judging event.

It’s really important to recognise and celebrate the great work we all do, so please do put forward your entries.  The closing date is Friday the 10th March and to find out more about the awards and how to enter click here.

The 2017 PPMA Annual Seminar is happening on Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th April in Bristol and in this short film, Caroline Nugent President elect talks about the brilliant programme of events we have lined up for you.  So if you haven’t booked already watch the video to find out more and click here to make sure you reserve your place.