As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, we’re speaking to women leaders to find out more about their journey into leadership and how they inspire inclusion. Rebecca Hopkin, Delivery Consultant in our Local Government team spoke with Karen Jones, the first female chief executive of Neath Port Talbot Council and one of only four female chief executives in Wales, about her path to becoming a leader and all she has learnt along the way.
During this inspirational conversation, Karen shares how being comfortable with stepping into the challenges has stood her in good stead throughout her 40 years in public service. She talks about the biggest challenges but also her proudest moments, touching on the power of teams, of data and of cultural change. She also shares those who’ve influenced her leadership, including her grandmothers, and why education and reaching younger people is critical to championing the local government sector as a fantastic place to grow a career: