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About the Programmes

The PPMA is keen to create an environment where talent can shine, and to offer opportunities for everyone to learn, grow and stretch themselves. Through your participation, your organisation is telling you that you have the potential skills and qualities to be a future leader in the Public Sector. It will be up to you to make the most of this unique experience and to cherish your networks online and offline over the coming months and years.

This programme is all about identifying and showcasing the tremendous breadth and depth of emerging talent that we have in the Public Sector. Below and included in the briefing packs for each programme is everything you need to know about the programme, what you have to do next, dates and deadlines, how the competition element will work and the results and rewards.

Watch the Programme Overview
Get an overview of the programme below:

Who’s been shortlisted?

Thank you to everyone who applied for the 2026 PPMA Talent Development Programmes. We received an excellent standard of applications from HR & OD professionals across the public sector.

Following the assessment process, we are pleased to announce the shortlisted candidates who will progress to the next stage of the programme.

PPMA HR Rising Star 2026 Shortlist

Congratulations to the following shortlisted applicants:

  • Dom Condron – Salford City Council
  • Lisa Hancock – London Borough of Hackney
  • Emma Cornwell – Cheshire East Council
  • Rosie Landers – Manchester City Council
  • Rhiannon Collins – Brentwood Borough & Rochford District Council
  • Laura Owen – Cheshire East Council
  • Fiona Gande – Manchester City Council
  • Ben Straffon – Wokingham Borough Council
  • Kris Crawford – Cheshire East Council
  • Wesley Gordon – London Borough of Southwark
  • Holly Gammage – Herefordshire Council

The PPMA HR Rising Star programme is designed for HR & OD professionals with at least five years’ experience who are preparing to take the next step into a senior HR & OD leadership role. Shortlisted candidates will now progress through the next stage of the programme, where they will demonstrate their leadership potential through a series of development activities and assessments.

PPMA One to Watch 2026 Shortlist

The PPMA One to Watch programme is designed for HR & OD professionals in the early stages of their career. It recognises emerging talent and provides participants with the opportunity to develop their confidence, resilience and leadership potential through a range of development activities and assessments.

Congratulations to our shortlisted candidates:

  • Nikhita Chandar – Sheffield City Council
  • Jordan Woodward – Wigan Council
  • Jack Unsworth – Wigan Council
  • Dylan Beaver – London Borough of Hounslow
  • Salma Begum – London Borough of Hackney
  • Zahra Ali – Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
  • Jack Waby – Lincolnshire County Council
  • Rhiannah McDonnell – Epping Forest District Council
  • Jasmine Taylor – Sutton Council and Royal Borough of Kingston
  • Amy Usbas – London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • Rachel Gibson – Manchester City Council
  • Katrina Williams – London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • Gail Holiday Scott – Lincolnshire County Council
  • Olivia McLaughlin – Southwark Council

.The Assessment

Successful applicants will be invited to take part in a two day assessment of individual and group activities and presentations  at the University of Warwick.

A master class in communication techniques will be held on the first day and we will provide you with additional guidance, support and coaching for the remainder of the programme.

At the end of the two days, the overall winner will be announced, and the winner will be celebrated at the PPMA Annual Conference 2027.

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Price (+VAT)

£500 pp   PPMA member

£750 pp   non-member

Please send PO’s to [email protected], alternatively to pay by card online please click the payment button in the top left hand corner of our website.

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Past Programmes

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact [email protected].

Here is a fabulous taster from our previous One to Watch and Rising Star cohorts:

FEEDBACK FROM LAST YEAR’S PROGRAMMES

Very powerful, insightful and uplifting. I have learnt a lot about positive speech and
building confidence. I am excited to feedback my experience back on the workplace.
I will be recommending that my Council gives this opportunity every year.

Really enjoyable couple of days, met some great peers and excellent coaches and
judges.

Amazing experience which has really pushed me out of my comfort zone and boosted
my confidence. I will be recommending the course to other HR professionals.

Started off so apprehensive but an amazing opportunity. Really pushed me out of my
comfort zone. You get a lot from the 2 days and I have loved meeting everyone.

I can honestly without hesitation say it is the best form of development I have had in my
15 years here – both professionally and personally.

It has given me a huge and much needed confidence boost and I am just so grateful for the
opportunity to take part and to meet you all.

A thought-provoking and engaging session. Learnt a lot outside of my comfort
zone. The participants, coaches and judges are all lovely.

This has been the best training/development/learning I have had! I feel I have found
my authentic self because of this!