GatenbySanderson had the privilege of delivering a high-impact workshop at Public Finance Live in Birmingham.
Our session, “The Future of Public Sector Leadership: Sustainability, Strategy & Resilience”, brought together over 150 senior leaders from across the UK’s local government and wider public sector.
The energy in the room was electric, with standing room only and over 30 questions submitted, highlighting the urgency and relevance of the topic for today’s public sector leaders.
(Image: GatenbySanderson presenting The Future of Public Sector Leadership: Sustainability, Strategy & Resilience.)
Leadership in a Time of Complexity
Drawing on behavioural data from over 200 CFOs and thousands of senior leaders, our research reveals how leadership behaviours, especially the CEO-CFO dynamic, can either drive or derail transformation in local authorities. In today’s climate of financial constraint, political volatility, and digital disruption, resilience, adaptability, and authenticity are essential traits for public sector leaders.
One standout insight: CFOs consistently demonstrate strength in Engendering Trust, a behaviour rooted in integrity. In an era of declining public trust, this is a vital asset for local government leadership.
The CEO–CFO Dynamic: A Crucial Partnership
Our research highlights the complementary strengths of Chief Executives and Chief Financial Officers. CFOs often balance financial rigour with social purpose, while CEOs typically excel in influence, visibility, and inspiration. This partnership is critical in navigating transformation. When both roles understand and trust each other’s strengths—and are aware of their own potential derailers, they can lead with greater impact and cohesion.
A key question from the audience: How do we distinguish between candidates who can genuinely lead and those who simply “talk the talk”? The answer lies in behavioural insight and validated assessment, not just confidence, but proven capability under pressure.
Know Yourself to Lead Others
A major takeaway from the session was the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Understanding your own strengths and derailers is essential to building effective teams and navigating complex environments.
For example:
- Diligence can become micromanagement.
- Boldness can tip into overconfidence.
- Optimism bias can derail transformation programmes.
- Leaders must actively seek challenge, build diverse teams, and create space for dissenting voices – especially in politically charged environments.
Insights from the Front Line
We were honoured to be joined by Jaki Salisbury, who shared powerful reflections on leading through transformation and staying true to one’s values in the face of political complexity. Her insights added real depth to the session and resonated strongly with attendees.
Why This Matters for Local Government
This workshop reaffirmed the vital role of local government in the UK, and the need for leadership that is not only technically skilled but emotionally intelligent, strategically focused, and resilient. At GatenbySanderson, we’ve supported public sector leadership for over 20 years. We understand the challenges facing local authorities and the importance of equipping leaders with the tools to thrive.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
Whether you’re planning a leadership transition, navigating organisational change, or building a more resilient senior team, our Local Government Practice is here to help.
Get in touch to explore how we can support your leadership journey.
Contact Frazer Thouard: frazer.thouard@gatenbysanderson.com
Download our latest reports to deepen your understanding:
The CFO Personality Report
Discover the behavioural traits that define high-performing CFOs and explore the dynamics that shape the CEO-CFO relationship.
Devolution by Default
Gain insight into the evolving landscape of local government reorganisation and what it means for leadership, governance, and community impact.