A Local Government Association (LGA) report, which summarised years of demographic research into the public sector workforce, revealed that only 32% of Chief Executives are women, and only 3% of Chief Executives come from BAME backgrounds. With surveys still showing a distinct lack of diversity consistently over the years, it is more important than ever to address the need for systemic change in this important institution.
In order to change the status quo, Deborah Cadman OBE and Meena Kishinani, two prominent leaders in Local and Regional Government, have spearheaded the launch of Different, a national leadership development programme aimed at upskilling mid-level professionals from diverse backgrounds into excellent CEOs and Executive Directors across England.
With a collective interest in the sector to see more people from underrepresented groups in top roles, Different aims to create a new generation of capable and confident leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of modern local government.
The programme is targeted to mid-career professionals from underrepresented backgrounds who are currently operating at Tier 3 or Tier 4 management level. Participants will work with high-level executives across the Local Government and beyond, building an invaluable network to support their future career development.
Participants, identified through nomination by their organisations, will undergo an intensive six-month training programme comprising six group modules focused on practical skills, leadership techniques and resilience-building strategies. This is followed by six months of virtual peer-to-peer support and mentorship to ensure sustained professional growth.
Different is powered by two organisations committed to creating proportional representation in senior Local Government leadership.
Tile Hill, an executive search agency for the public sector known for fostering excellence in the candidate experience, will lend its expertise in leadership development and leverage its connections with top-level executives to facilitate a one-of-a-kind mentorship programme. Offering leading career coaching and consultancy services for senior executives and organisations, as well as psychometric assessments to drive mentoring conversations, Tile Hill is well-positioned to help diverse candidates understand their full potential and promote better overall representation in the workforce.
Transformation consultancy Newtrality will also provide specialised knowledge to help the programme develop an effective training curriculum, tapping into its wide experience of developing innovative solutions for local authorities.
Organisations interested in taking part in the initiative or professionals eager to be nominated for Different should contact Tile Hill’s Anj Popat (Associate Director) or Chantelle Wooldridge (Senior Consultant) at different@tile-hill.co.uk to learn more.
