Governance and Structure

The Public Service People Managers Association (PPMA) is a membership association with a strong commitment to effective governance, transparency, and member engagement.

PPMA is governed by its Strategic Board, which provides strategic leadership and oversees the delivery of the association’s objectives on behalf of its members. The Board is made up primarily of volunteer HR and OD professionals from across public services, supported by a small team of paid professional roles.

This governance structure enables PPMA to maintain a clear strategic focus, operate effectively, and create meaningful opportunities for members, partners, and sponsors to contribute to the work of the association.

Strategic Management Board (SMB)

The Strategic Management Board (SMB), led by the President, provides strategic leadership and oversight of the association and is responsible for its day-to-day governance. The Board comprises the President, President Elect, Vice President(s), Honorary Treasurer, Secretary, Sponsorship Manager, and Talent Programmes and Awards Manager, and is supported by professional roles including the Finance Manager and Business & Marketing Manager.

Pam Parkes

PPMA President 2024 – 2026

Commissioner to Birmingham City Council,

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Sandra Farquharson

PPMA President Elect

Director of HR & Organisational Development at Hackney

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Steve Davies

PPMA Treasurer & Honorary Secretary, Past PPMA President 2020/2022

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Gordon McFarlane

Past PPMA President 2022/2024

Director of HR&OD, London Borough of Newham

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Natasha Brown

PPMA VP

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Nichola Mann

PPMA VP

Acting Joint Director for People & Governance for Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council

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Steve Walker-Whitehead

PPMA VP

Director of People, Equality and Organisational Development, London Borough of Hounslow

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Trudy Forster

HRD Network Lead

Assistant Chief Executive, North Yorkshire Council

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Julie Biggs

PPMA Talent Programmes and Awards Manager

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Kim McInery

PPMA Finance Director

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Grace Ogden

Business & Marketing Manager

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Barry Pirie

PPMA Sponsorships Manager

Past PPMA President 2015/2016

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Ambassadors

The Board is further supported by PPMA Ambassadors, an extended network of members who help promote the association, engage with the wider membership, and raise PPMA’s profile across public services.

James Bird

PPMA HR Rising Star 2023

Employee Relations Lead Human Resources, Gloucestershire County Council

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Claudia Beaumont

PPMA Peer into the Future 24/25

Strategic HR Business Partner, Wiltshire Council 

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Swati Bisht-Rawat

PPMA Peer into the Future 2021

Head of Talent, Performance and Innovation, Westminster City Council

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Sam Betts

Assistant Director Human Resources & Organisational Development, Salford City Council

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Cheryl Graham

Human Resources Director & London Regional Employer Secretary, London Councils

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Sonia Grewal

Director of HR & OD, Swindon Borough Council

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Akddus Khan

PPMA HR Rising Star 2025

Head of Learning & Culture, Oldham Council

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Rebecca Lea

PPMA HR Rising Star 2023

Strategic Lead for Workforce Inclusion, Greater Manchester Combined Authority

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Victoria Lee

HR Consultant & Coach

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Molly Lucas

PPPMA One to Watch 2025

Senior Organisational Development, The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

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Clive Mallon

Organisational Development Manager at Somerset County Council

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Hannah Mason

PPMA Peer into the Future 2024

Head of Resourcing and Relations, Central Bedfordshire Council

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Marie Mettam

PPMA Peer into the Future 2023

HR Consultant and HR Change Advisor, Cancer Research UK

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Caroline Nugent

Past PPMA President 2017 – 2018

HR Executive consultant, NuGenHR

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Nimisha Patel

Head of Change Management, London Borough of Newham

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Neisha Porter

PPMA HR Rising Star 2020

Head of OD and Internal Communications, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

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Last, but by no means least, PPMA benefits from a strong and supportive community of Past Presidents whose experience and insight provide valuable perspective and continuity when required.

If you would like more information about PPMA’s governance structure, or how you can become involved in a board role, please contact us.