In this episode of Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill speaks with Anne Costain, Chief Financial Officer at Stonewater, one of the UK’s largest social housing providers. Managing 40,000 homes for over 93,000 people, Stonewater delivers affordable rentals, shared ownership, supported living, and specialist housing for vulnerable groups—all with a mission to create thriving communities.

Anne shares her journey from global corporate finance into the housing sector, reflecting on how treasury expertise and transformation leadership prepared her for the unique challenges of social housing. Together, they explore Stonewater’s strategic priorities.

Listeners will gain insight into the realities of CFO leadership in housing: influencing decisions beyond finance, driving community investment, and ensuring strategies translate into tangible impact for residents. Anne also discusses the importance of values alignment, governance, and communication at board level, while offering practical advice for aspiring leaders in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

This conversation reveals the truth about leading financial strategy in housing—where numbers meet purpose, and finance becomes a driver of social change. As Anne says, "Commercial for a Purpose".

In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector Podcast, host Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with Stephen Fitzgerald, Strategic Director for Finance (Section 151) at Woking Borough Council. With a career spanning decades across local government finance, Stephen has advised councils throughout England and worked closely with the Local Government Association, bringing unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today.

Together, they explore the realities behind public sector finance—from the critical responsibilities of Section 151 officers to navigating funding gaps and rising service demands. Stephen shares his perspective on transformation and innovation, while reflecting on the leadership qualities needed to steer councils through change.

Whether you’re curious about the complexity behind balancing local authority budgets, the implications of a Section 114 notice, or the future of collaboration in public finance, this conversation offers a candid look at what it really takes to keep local government sustainable.

What does it take to transform procurement from a compliance checkpoint into a strategic powerhouse? In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with John Wallace, Director of Procurement at Clarion Housing Group, to uncover the secrets behind building credibility, influencing stakeholders, and aligning procurement with organisational goals.

From implementing category management and cutting-edge systems to championing social value and sustainability, John shares candid insights on leadership, cultural change, and why saying “yes” matters more than saying “no.” Whether you’re a seasoned procurement professional or curious about the future of public sector strategy, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and bold ideas for driving real impact.

Tune in to learn why procurement is more than process—it’s about people, partnerships, and purpose.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Fiona, a seasoned procurement and transformation specialist, to explore the real-world challenges and triumphs of driving change in the public sector.

Fiona shares her journey through high-impact interim roles, including her pivotal work in local authorities following their intervention period. With a focus on strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and building team capability, Fiona reveals how procurement transformation is as much about people as it is about process.

We delve into her approach to organisational culture, data, and contract management — and hear how her work helped shape a nationally available toolkit for local authorities. Fiona also offers her perspective on the Procurement Act 2023, unpacking the opportunities and complexities it brings for public sector compliance and innovation.

Whether you're a procurement professional, transformation leader, or simply curious about how change really happens in government, this episode is packed with practical insights and authentic reflections.

Tune in now to hear the truth about public sector transformation — and why procurement might just be the strategic enabler you’ve been overlooking.

The Truth About Public Sector Host: Hannah Quinn-Hill Episode: Strategic Procurement with Nichola Cooke MCIPS

In this insightful episode, Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with Nichola Cooke MCIPS, Acting Director at STAR Procurement, to explore the evolving landscape of public sector procurement. From her early career across councils and agencies to leading one of the UK’s most innovative shared services, Nichola shares her journey, leadership lessons, and the transformative power of collaboration.

Discover how STAR Procurement balances commercial ambition with social value, leverages data and technology for smarter decisions, and drives real impact for communities. Nichola also reflects on her roles as an LGA Peer Reviewer and trustee, offering advice for aspiring professionals and revealing one powerful truth about the public sector that everyone should know.

Whether you're a procurement leader, policy maker, or curious listener, this episode offers a compelling look into the challenges, opportunities, and future of public sector strategy.

In this inspiring episode of The Truth About Public Sector, we’re joined by Andrew Russell, Assistant Director - Procurement at Stonewater Housing. Andrew opens up about his career journey, the pivotal moments that shaped his path, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of procurement professionals.

We dive into the power of self-initiated learning, the value of returning to procurement fundamentals, and how Andrew fosters a culture of continuous growth within his team. He also shares insights into collaborative and commercially savvy procurement —highlighting how strategic sourcing and supplier engagement are delivering meaningful impact in housing and sustainability.

Whether you're new to procurement or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable lessons on leadership, purpose-driven strategy, and making a difference in the public sector.

In this insightful episode, Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with Sally Hopkin, Head of Procurement at Community Health Partnerships to explore the realities of leading procurement in the public sector. From her journey into procurement and her passion for public service, to the strategic priorities shaping Community Health Partnerships, Sally shares candid reflections on the challenges, opportunities, and future of procurement in the NHS.

Tune in to hear about major initiatives, the power of collaboration through networks like the Procurement Directors’ Network, and what transformation might look like in the months ahead. Whether you're in the sector or simply curious about how public procurement works behind the scenes, this episode offers a grounded and inspiring look at leadership, innovation, and impact.

🔊 Listen now for practical insights and honest reflections from one of the sector’s leading voices.

In this fast-paced and practical episode, host Hannah Quinn-Hill explores one of the most pressing challenges in public sector procurement today: the widening skills gap. Despite more than half of employed adults in England and Wales holding qualifications that align with their roles, a staggering 79% of organizations are still facing procurement skill shortages.

Hannah examines why this gap exists—especially within the public sector—and what it means for the future of procurement governance and capability. From strategic thinking and negotiation to analytics and relationship management, the demand for well-rounded commercial skills has never been greater.

With insights from recent research, including findings from the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC) showing that nearly 1 in 5 public sector professionals are unfamiliar with innovation in procurement, this episode calls for urgent action in building teams that can thrive in the face of change.

Tune in for a sharp and insightful discussion on how to close the gap—and why doing so is critical to unlocking true public value.