CIPFA Speaks (CIPFA)

In our inaugural episode, we explore the latest goings-on in health and social care.

Featuring:
- Vivienne Russell, Head of Communications & Content at CIPFA and former Editor of Public Finance Magazine
- Former journalist and NHS Providers Senior Policy Advisor David Williams
- Graham Atkins, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
- Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research & Economics at The Health Foundation

This jam packed episode covers everything from the future of public sector data to the latest behavioural science being used to tackle public sector fraud.

Featuring:
- Jon Watkins, Editor of Public Finance Magazine
- Hubert Wu, Researcher for the Behavioural Insights Team
- David Phillips, Associate Director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies
- David Caplan, Head of Analytics and Research at CIPFA
- Marc McAuley, Head of Counter Fraud Operations at CIPFA

Seasons greetings from CIPFA! December's episode covers the future of libraries, the 30 year anniversary of the Children Act 1989, and the launch of CIPFA's Financial Resilience Index. 

Featuring:
- Toby Litt, author and lecturer and Birkbeck, University of London
- Dr Emma Nottingham, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Winchester
- Carolyn Williamson, CIPFA President
- Carol Culley, Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer, Manchester City Council 
- Andy Burns, CIPFA Associate Director

Happy New Year from CIPFA! As we enter the new decade, January's episode covers off the general election, the impact of Brexit, and the future of policing.

Featuring:
- Dominic Brady, reporter for Public Finance Magazine
- Nigel Brook, Assistant Chief Officer for West Yorkshire Police
- Dr Kitty Stewart, Associate Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science

The CIPFA Team have braved the dismal February weather to bring you interviews with some brilliant guests this month. 

Featuring:
- Angus Peters, Editor, Pensions Expert
- Richard Lloyd-Bithell, CIPFA, Pensions and Treasury Management Adviser
- Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow Social Care, The Kings Fund
- Deborah Garvey, Policy Manager, Shelter

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! Check out this month's episode, featuring reflections on COVID-19, IFRS 16, and council tax reform. 

Featuring:
- Rob Whiteman, CEO, CIPFA
- Ian Ratcliffe, Assistant Director of Sector Financial Accounting, NHS England and NHS Improvement
- David Phillips, Associate Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies
- Joanne Pitt, Local Government Policy Manager, CIPFA

The CIPFA podcast is back after a brief hiatus! Join us this week as we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the public sector with CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks!

This week, we were joined by Breaking Barriers Innovations to discuss the place-based approach in local government, and the importance of investing in prevention. 

Featuring:
Nicholas Werran - Partnerships Director, Breaking Barriers Innovations
Dr Jon Bashford - Research Programme Director, Breaking Barriers Innovations

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks!

This week, we were joined by Stephanie Donaldson, 
Executive Director of Business Resources, National Museums Liverpool and CIPFA North West President, to discuss the issues of diversity and inclusion in the public sector. 

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks!

This week, we dived into CIPFA and Humentum’s joint initiative to develop the world’s first internationally applicable financial reporting guidance for non-profit organisations. 

Joined by Karen Sanderson, Head of the IFR4NPO programme at CIPFA, and Samantha Musoke, the project director from Humentum, we looked at how the project would encourage greater credibility and trust in the not-for-profit sector globally.

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks!

In this week's double bill, we were joined by the Institute for Government and the National Audit Office to explore the preparedness of public services for COVID-19.

Featuring:
- Jeffrey Matsu, Chief Economist, CIPFA
- Nick Davies, Programme Director, Institute for Government
- Aileen Murphie, Value for Money Director, National Audit Office

Resources:
IfG/CIPFA report: How fit were public services for coronavirus
NAO report: Readying the NHS and adult social care in England for COVID-19

For more information about CIPFA, visit our website.

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks!

This week we were joined by Nik Miller, CEO of the Bridge Group, to discuss social mobility and access to the accountancy profession.

Resources:
Bridge Group: https://www.thebridgegroup.org.uk/
Access Accountancy: http://www.accessaccountancy.org/

For more information about CIPFA, visit our website.

In this episode, we're joined by CIPFA's Chief Economist Jeff Matsu to talk about the UK's economic recovery from COVID-19, and Ileana Steccolini, Professor of Accounting and member of CIPFA's International Advisory Panel to explore public sector resilience.

Resources:
Jeff Matsu Twitter
International Advisory Panel

In this week's episode, we're focusing on police and criminal justice. 

Featuring:

Report: Trends in criminal justice spending, staffing and populations 2008-2009 to 2017-2018

This week's episode honed in on the challenges faced by the health service during the last few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Featuring:

This week's episode features guests from all across the public sector on a variety of issues, including academies estate management, the future of data for public services and a look back at last year's Public Finance Awards.

More information
CIPFAstats+: https://www.cipfa.org/services/data-to-drive-decisions/cipfastats
Public Finance Live: https://cipfaannualconference.org.uk/
Public Finance Awards: https://publicfinanceawards.co.uk/

This week's episode focuses on fraud and corruption in the public sector. Joining us to give the big picture view is Neil Green, Deputy Director for Counter Fraud and Investigation at the Government Internal Audit Agency. 

We also welcomed Clair Quentin from Kings College London. Clair is a Research Associate to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, chaired by Dame Margaret Hodge MP. They were recently involved in the publication of a new report targeting the enablers of tax avoidance.

More information:
APPG report: Ineffective tax avoidance: targeting the enablers
Virtual Seminar: Tackling the Enablers of Tax Avoidance - RSVP to alex.conneelyhughes@parliament.uk

This week's episode focuses on public service performance in the UK. Joining us to give an overview of the Performance Tracker 2020 is the Institute for Government's Director, Bronwen Maddox.

This episode also includes insight from Lindsey Wishart, who has held various treasurer roles in the charity sector and is a key contributor for Public Finance Perspectives, on the impact that COVID-19 has had on children and children's services.  

This week's episode kicks off with CIPFA's initial reaction to the 2020 one-year spending review, followed by a deep dive into what impacts the UK can expect from the end of the Brexit transition period. 

Featuring:

More information:

With a vaccine rollout hopefully spelling an end in sight to the pandemic, this week's episode looks ahead to the next crisis needing our attention - the climate emergency. We spoke to CIPFA Chief Economist Jeff Matsu about the economic frameworks impacting climate policy, and President of ADEPT Nigel Riglar about the Prime Minister's 10-point plan for climate change. 

More information:

Happy new year and welcome back to CIPFA Speaks!

This episode, we spoke to the Chartered Management Institute about flexible working, and were joined by CIPFA member Steve O'Donoghue for an insight into how working from home has changed the day to day working lives of public finance professionals.

More information:
Behavioural Insights Team report on flexible working
CMI: Management Transformed

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! This week's episode features Jaimie Kaffash (Editor of Pulse Magazine) and Professor Andy Hardy (CEO of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust) on the progress of the UK vaccination rollout. 

As part of our recurring segment on the impact of the pandemic on the public finance profession, we were joined by Karan Wheatcroft from the Mersey Internal Audit Agency. 

Find out more: 

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! 

This week's episode is all about talent, featuring Lauren Gough from the CIPFA Student Network, trainee accountant Catherine Hodgkinson and Assistant Director of Finance Hamant Bharadia from Lambeth Council, and CIPFA member Alston Owens on diversity in the workforce.

Find out more:

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! This week's packed episode featured CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman with his reflections on the 2021 Budget, Libraries Connected on the impact of COVID-19 on libraries, and CIPFA student Faye Revely joined us for our recurring segment on working from home in public finance.

Find out more:
The Budget
CIPFA: Manchester Libraries - Research into how libraries help people with loneliness and isolation

Libraries Connected: Libraries in lockdown

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! This week, we were joined by Shadow Local Government Minister Kate Hollern MP and CIPFA Local Government Policy Manager Joanne Pitt to talk all thing council tax. 

Find out more:

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! This week, we were joined by CIPFA's Senior Technical Manager, Richard Lloyd-Bithell to discuss the new Prudential Code consultation.

This episode also includes an update on the Achieving Finance Excellence in Policing (AFEP) programme, by Amie Bridson, CIPFA's Senior Business Development Manager and Neil Chamberlain, Director of Commercial Services at West Midlands Police. 

This week's episode of CIPFA Speaks is a student takeover! CIPFA Student Network (CSN) Communications Officer Lauren Gough quizzes the experts on all the revision tips students need to know. 

Contact CSN:

This week's episode is a health and social care special, honing in on the recent NHS White Paper on health and social care integration. Joining us this episode are CIPFA President Andy Hardy, CFO of Manchester City Council Carol Culley, and author and former public policy editor of the Financial Times Nicholas Timmins.

Find out more:
NHS White Paper: Working together to improve health and social care for all

This week's episode focuses on all things procurement across the public sector. We were joined by Mohamed Hans (Procurement Network Adviser, CIPFA), Lianne Deeming (CEO, Blue Light Commercial) and Fiona Hunt (Spend Network), touching on policing, the procurement Green Paper and gender bias in government procurement.

Don't forget, CIPFA's annual conference Public Finance Live is back face to face in London this year from 7-8 July 2021. Visit the website in the links below to view the programme.

Find out more:
CIPFA annual conference, Public Finance Live
Blue Light Commercial
Spend Network report: Procuring inequality 

This week's episode focuses on all things international. We were joined by Khalid Hamid (CIPFA International Director), Jasmina Popović (CEF Program Officer), Tim Youngberry (CIPFA Associate) and Gordon Ferrier (CIPFA Associate), touching on the upcoming CIPFA-CEF international conference, sustainability reporting in the public sector and CIPFA's international advisory work.

Find out more:
CIPFA-CEF Conference: Supporting Accounting and Auditing Developments and Synergies

This week's packed episode covers a sneak peek of our upcoming annual conference, Public Finance Live, some tips and tricks for local authority capital strategies, and lessons learned from recent public interest reports. 

Featured guests:

More information:

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! In this week's episode, were joined by Ian Carruthers to discuss the latest CIPFA/IFAC Accountability Index, as well as Jeffrey Matsu (CIPFA, Chief Economist) and Ben Franklin (Centre for Progressive Policy, Head of Research) to explore levelling up. 

Find out more:

This week's 'student takeover' episode focuses on what 'the future CFO' needs to know. We're joined by:

This week's sustainability episode focuses on the NAO's Local Government and Net Zero in England report, as well as CIPFA's recent sustainability reporting research. 

This week's episode focuses on the recent GO Lab-CIPFA collaboration on the Value for Money Toolkit and the Legatum Institute's Prosperity Index.

In today's episode we will be talking with Richard LLoyd-Bithell, Senior Technical Manager at CIPFA, about CIPFA's revisions to the Treasury Management and Prudential Codes. Our second guest is Rizwana Tabassum, Research Analyst at World Bank, discussing CIPFA's work to strengthen public financial management in Bangladesh.

This episode features interviews with Samantha Musoke (Project Manager at Humentum), Joanne Pitt (CIPFA Local Government Policy Manager) and Dr Eleanor Roy (CIPFA Health and Social Care Policy Manager).

First up is a discussion and update about the joint CIPFA and Humentum IFR4NPO project, ahead of Charity Fraud Awareness Week. Part two of this episode explores views from CIPFA’s policy team on the upcoming spending review.

In this episode, we hear from CIPFA's Chief Economist Jeff Matsu and Associate Director of the Institute for Government Graham Atkins, who share their thoughts on the spending review.

We are also joined by Joseph Holmes, CFO of West Berkshire Council, to talk about his winning sustainability project at the Public Finance awards.

We are joined by two very special guests in this sustainability focused episode. First we talk to James Alexander, who is the CEO of UKSIF, about what it means for companies to transititon to net zero.

After that we hear from the Deputy Director of the National Audit Office of Finland, Vivi Niemenmaa, who tells us about the work she has been doing in global auditing in the age of climate change.

In this end of year episode we spoke to Kirsty Stanners, CIPFA's new Head of Policy and Technical to discuss her new role and her experience.

We were also joined by editor of Public Finance Magazine, Colin Marrs. He went over the biggest news stories of last year and his expectations for reporting in 2022.

Finally, we had a chat with CIPFA's Katja Lamers, who tells us about CIPFA's exciting new project in Rwanda. 

Happy holidays!

On this episode of CIPFA Speaks! we were joined by Joanne Pitt, CIPFA's Local Government Policy Manager and Marcus Richards, Director at EY, to discuss resilience in the local government sector and CIPFA's recently released Financial Resilience Index.

On the second part of the episode, CIPFA Chief Economist Jeffrey Matsu spoke to co-founder and President of the Democracy Collaborative, Ted Howard, about the organisation's work to reduce inequality in Cleveland.

Paul Swinney, Director of Policy and Research at the Centre for Cities, talks to us about some of the challenges of levelling up in the UK and the link between productivity and a city's size.
 
Next we are joined by Dr Abigail Taylor, from City-REDI at the University of Birmingham, who co-authored CIPFA's 'Investing in Regional Equality' report. She shares some insights into producing the report and why taking a local approach is so vital in levelling up.
 
Finally, we hear from Aileen Murphie who is the chair of CIPFA's new Practice Oversight Panel. She explains what the new panel will do and some of the challenges on the horizon.

On this special episode, in celebration of Women's History Month, we only invited women to speak on the show.

Our first guest was Erica Roscoe, senior research fellow at IPPR North. Erica discussed the recent 'State of the North: Powering Northern Excellence' report she worked on, levelling up and how regional divides can worsen existing inequalities. 

Our second speakers were Jess Bowie and Suzannah Brecknell, Editors of Civil Service World. They discussed the challenges and benefits of working in a high-profile job share, while being a mother. They took a look at what it really means to be a woman working in the male-dominated environment of Whitehall.

Our final guest was Diane Coyle, who is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the Bennett Institute, University of Cambridge. Diane spoke about her work in exploring a new economics framework fit for the digital age. She also discussed empowering young women starting their careers and the work that needs to be done for gender equality in the world of economics.

In this episode we speak to Nina Johansson who is CIPFA's new Sustainability Advisor. She explains why sustainability reporting in the public sector is so important if we are to reach net zero.

Next we hear from Hannah Brown from the National Infrastructure Commission and Professor Anne Green from the University of Birmingham who talk about the power of infrastructure to level up the country.

Finally, we are joined by Wilf Henderson OBE and Alison Bonathan who have been involved with CIPFA's anti-corruption work in Uganda.

In this episode we're joined by Rod Penman who is Head of Public Services at Zurich Municipal. He tells us about the three biggest risks facing local authorities, and how cutting back on insurance premiums to save money is a red herring.

We're also joined by Liz Sandwith from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors. She explains how having robust and effective internal audit is vital for a successful public sector.

In this episode we’re joined by CIPFA’s Local Government Policy Manager, Jo Pitt, who introduces CIPFA’s guide on local authority owned companies. We also speak to Perry Holmes, who is Director of Legal and Governance at Wiltshire Council. He provides an insight into his experience of local authority owned companies and shares some best practices.  

We’re also joined by Alston Owens, who is Managing Consultant at GB Partnerships. He tells us about how inflationary pressures will affect NHS estates and the opportunities that integrated care systems will bring. 

Finally, CIPFA International Director, Khalid Hamid, is in conversation with Sir Jon Thompson, who is a CIPFA qualified accountant and the CEO of the Financial Reporting Council. They discuss the role of internal audit in the public sector, and what the future looks like for the profession. 

In this special edition recorded from PF Live 2022 in Liverpool we're joined by some of the guest speakers from the event. They are BBC Newsnight Economics Editor Ben Chu, writer and journalist John Harris, former Secretary of State Justine Greening, co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation Angus Hanton and Head of the Government Internal Audit Agency Elizabeth Honer.

On this month's episode we are joined by CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman who reflects on the monumental changes that have recently occurred in the UK.

We also speak with Ian Taylor who authored the report Partnerships in Place: the business of levelling up, the full report can be accessed on the Business in the Community website. 

Finally, we are joined by some CIPFA policy experts who give their take on the government's recently announced mini-budget. 

CIPFA Speaks! can be found on CIPFA's website or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. Remember to follow us on social media for more and so you never miss another episode.

On this special edition of CIPFA Speaks! we hear from black people working across CIPFA and in the public sector.

We spoke with Lorraine Ashley, CIPFA's International Project Coordinator, Peninah Achieng-Kindberg, Senior Finance Business Partner at Ministry of Justice UK and Joe Sealy, Chair of the CIPFA board and Co-founder and COO of Greater Pacific Capital.

Previous episodes of CIPFA Speaks! can be found on our website, or wherever you like to listen. Make sure you follow us on social media for more.

On this month's episode of CIPFA Speaks! we're joined by John Baker, Independent Anti-Fraud Consultant, and Nieves Zuniga, Research and Evaluation Consultant, who discuss anti-corruption and fraud to celebrate CIPFA's new anti-corruption compendium.

In addition, we hear from CIPFA's Health and Social Care Policy Manager, Ellie Roy, and CIPFA's Associate Director, Andy Burns about CIPFA's new integrating care publication that will be released on Monday 5 December.

To access the anti-corruption compendium or the integrating care publication please visit CIPFA's website.

On January's episode of CIPFA Speaks! we introduce CIPFA's new Director of Public Financial Management, Iain Murray. He gives an overview of his career and tells us what sparked his move to CIPFA.

We're also joined by Andy Burns, CIPFA's Associate Director, who discusses CIPFA's financial resilience index. To find out more about the resilience index, visit CIPFA's website. 

On this month's episode of CIPFA Speaks! we're focusing on council tax. The government recently released their data on levels of council tax across the country and how it has changed. In addition, CIPFA's annual council tax survey came to a close, finding significant disparities in levels of council tax across England and Wales. 

Council tax has been raised across the board as councils struggle with the economic difficulties of the last few years. So, to discuss all things council tax we're joined by CIPFA's Head of Policy, Joanne Pitt and Tracy Bingham, CFO and Strategic Director of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.

Please do follow us on social media for more and to make sure you never miss another episode. 

On this special episode of CIPFA Speaks! we discuss all things sustainability.

We're joined by CIPFA's Nina Johansson and Jeffrey Matsu, who discuss their recent sustainability reports. We also hear from Jonathan Woods, a Newly Qualified Accountant from Cambridgeshire County Council. Lastly, we speak to Peter Eckersley from Nottingham Trent University.

Don't forget to follow us on social media for more, and check out the sustainability reports mentioned in the episode on CIPFA's website.

On May's episode of CIPFA Speaks! the International Team are taking over and bringing us two fantastic guests who both have a wealth of experience in public finance. 

We'll hear from Manj Kalar who is Director at Kalar Consulting and has 30 years’ experience gained across the public sector. In addition, we speak to Arjonela Dedja, who is Project Manager and Programme Facilitator at the Center of Excellence in Finance.

We hope you enjoy the episode.

This episode was recorded across both days of Public Finance Live 2023 in London. We were lucky enough to speak with some of the fantastic speakers from the event.

In this episode, we hear from Dharshini David, Economist and Broadcaster, Tom Burgis, Journalist and Author and Caroline Atkinson, Senior Global Strategist at RockCreek Asset Management.

Please rate, review and subscribe and don't forget to follow us on social media for more!

This month on CIPFA Speaks! we are focusing on all things tech in celebration of CIPFA's recently released blockchain report. We are joined by Jeffrey Matsu, CIPFA's Chief Economist, who is in conversation with Mehdi Shiva, who is a Research Leader at RAND Europe.

In addition, we hear from Caitlin Bentley, who is a Lecturer at King's College London, focusing on AI education and the responsible use of AI technology. She is also a Co-Lead in the Skills Programme at Responsible AI UK.

CIPFA and ICAEW recently announced a joint declaration, which will provide many benefits for the members and students for both Institutes.

On this episode, we hear from CIPFA CEO, Rob Whiteman and CIPFA's Head of Qualifications and Membership, Anna Howard. They give an insight into what the joint declaration means and how it will help drive the public finance profession forward.

You can find out more about the joint declaration on CIPFA's website.

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks! In this episode, we explore adult social care charging reforms. 
 
We are joined by Karen Fuller, Corporate Director for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council. Karen shares their experience as one of the six trailblazers who implemented the reforms earlier than the rest of the country.

Next up, we hear from Dr William Burns, CIPFA Social Care Policy Advisor. William discusses insights from CIPFA’s recently published Charging for Adult Social are in England report. He talks us through the current charging system, the government’s proposed reforms and CIPFA’s five principles for a sustainable and equitable social care system.

Our final guest is Vicky Davis, Director of Local Government Value for Money at the National Audit Office (NAO). Vicky discusses the NAO’s report on reforming adult social care in England, including how DHSC is responding to the challenges facing adult social care, and its progress with delivering the reforms.

Welcome back to CIPFA Speaks. In this episode, we discuss how teams can best prepare for the implementation of the international financial reporting standard (IFRS) 16. 

There’s just over 1 month to go before this new accounting requirement on leases will be mandatory from the 1st of April 2024. So, now is the time to take stock of preparations.  
 
We are joined by David Ellis, a Financial Advisory Network Advisor at CIPFA. David talks us through what the changes mean, what teams can be doing in preparation, along with the benefits of IFRS 16 and the resources that CIPFA has to that may be useful for teams. 

Who are some of the women shaping the future of public finance?

In this Women's History Month special, join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in public finance and accountancy. We sit down with three women from across the three pillars of our organisation: CIPFA Develops, CIPFA Solutions and CIPFA Thinks. Up first, we hear from President of the CIPFA Student Network (CSN), Harriot Winfield, as she tells us why students should join CSN, and what women can bring to the public finance sector. We're then joined by CIPFA Solutions Project Management Office Consultant, Randeep Sahota, as she discusses all things careers and consulting.
Last but not least, we chat to CIPFA Thinks Senior Policy Manager, Jo Pitt, as she shares her career journey to date, along with insights from CIPFA’s latest Financial Resilience Index. 

1'15 Harriot Winfield, President of CSN
7'13 Randeep Sahota, CIFPA Solutions Project Management Office Consultant
11'35 CIPFA Thinks Senior Policy Manager, Jo Pitt

How can local government support you to live a life in good health?

On World Health Day 2024, we're championing public sector preventative measures in alignment with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) theme of ‘my health, my right’.

Hear from Chair of CIPFA’s prevention project Reference Group and Chief Executive of NHS Business Services Authority, Michael Brodie CBE, and CIPFA Policy Researcher on Prevention, Zachary Scott, as they explore how prevention can improve lives, the role of local government in building resilient communities and why local authorities should join CIPFA and the Health Foundation's Exploring Preventative Investment in local government in England project to make a difference today.

Why hasn’t levelling up worked as promised? How will the next government address capacity issues and create knowledge exchange?

We have just seen the election results for local and mayoral elections in May as we look forward to the general election this year. Which is why, in this month’s episode, experts from academia, think-tank and local authority come together to address what the next government should do to address regional inequalities in England. We are joined by Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development and Co-Director at City-REDI, University of Birmingham, Tom Davies, Associate Director at Social Finance UK and Leigh Bramall, Director of Counter Context, and former Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council.

CIPFA, in partnership with the University of Birmingham City-REDI, published in February a report on ‘Investing in Regional Equality- four English examples’ which found ten success factors that will address regional inequalities in England.

Tune in to learn more about multifaceted challenges and possible solutions to achieve prosperity for all. 

Tune in for an exclusive interview with outgoing CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman for heartfelt insights into Rob's personal life and talents away from work. 

Amid a time of tumultuous political change, we sat down with him as he prepares to pass the baton to his successor, Owen Mapley. Rob reflects on his decade-long tenure at the helm of the institute, sharing his proudest achievement at CIPFA, greatest challenge, and thoughts on the opportunities for the economy as we enter an age of artificial intelligence (AI).

What does it take to lead a public finance organisation during challenging times? Which song best describes your decade as CIPFA CEO? And where do you see public finance and the public sector headed after the General Election?...and many more questions answered in this month’s episode.

Why do different areas of the UK approach climate change differently? How can the UK government and local authorities grow in a sustainable manner? And what can be done to ensure sustainability is at the heart of decision-making? 

With a new government and new growth plan emerging at a time when the world undergoes rapid structural change from climate, technology, and demographic forces, the public sector must make tough decisions to advance its sustainability agenda. That’s why, in this month’s episode, CIPFA’s Sustainability Policy Manager, Amit Verma, and Professor Matthew Agarwala, Bennett Chair of Sustainable Finance at the University of Sussex, come together to explore how and why the public sector should strive for sustainable improvements.   

Tune in to learn more about multifaceted challenges and possible solutions to achieve prosperity for all.   

Why are 75% of local authority budgets consumed by social care? What steps can the government take to rein in escalating costs and meet growing demand? And how can public finance professionals ease pressures on local authorities? 

In this month’s episode, we tackle the urgent need for change in adult and children’s social care—a system that places unsustainable strain on local governments and the wellbeing of its communities alike. 

Join Dr. William Burns, CIPFA's Social Care Policy Advisor, Bernie Enright, Executive Director of Adult Social Services at Manchester City Council, and John Pearce, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services at Durham County Council, as they unpack the challenges and actionable strategies for managing demand. 

Tune in for expert insights and practical solutions to one of the public sector’s most pressing issues. 

Whether it’s threats to democracy or the rise of populism, public trust in governments, the public sector, and public officials is more important than ever. One of the key threats to that trust is corruption.

But how can public sector organisations spot and manage corruption risks before they take root?

In this month’s episode of CIPFA Speaks, we dive into the vital role of Corruption Risk Management (CRM) in safeguarding public services globally.

Join Daniela Sota Valdivia from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Khalid Hamid, CIPFA’s Director of International, as they explore the power of leadership in driving lasting change, the importance of a prevention-first approach, and lessons from CIPFA’s Corruption Prevention Programme, including its second pilot in Mauritius. 

Tune in to gain expert insights on building corruption-free public services and learn how finance professionals can help protect public trust. 

As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies rapidly advance, what does this mean for public services—and how can public finance professionals ensure new technologies truly benefit society?

In this month’s episode of CIPFA Speaks, we tackle the transformative potential of AI alongside the ethical and social challenges it poses. 

Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE, Paralympic gold medal swimmer and passionate advocate for tech-driven public good, and David Lyford-Tilley, CIPFA's Head of Standards and Technical, join us to explore how AI can drive efficiency, inclusivity, and innovation in public service. They’ll also share insights on the practical considerations for finance professionals: balancing new tech adoption with transparency and accountability. 

Tune in to learn how public finance professionals can be at the forefront of responsible AI use in public services, ensuring it benefits all. 

#CIPFASpeaks #AIFuture #PublicFinance 

With public sector reform on the cards, robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks will be essential to turn ambition into real impact. But how can the government effectively assess public spending to drive change?

In this month’s episode of CIPFA Speaks, we explore how and why solid monitoring and evaluation frameworks are key to the success of the government's mission-led initiatives, particularly in addressing spatial inequalities and ensuring that public funds are well spent.

Join Jeffrey Matsu, CIPFA’s Chief Economist, and Mara Airoldi, Director of the Government Outcomes (GO) Lab at Oxford University, as they discuss insights from CIPFA’s latest report. They share practical solutions such as standardised data collection, transparent funding, and tools like CIPFA's Nearest Neighbours Model to help policymakers and finance professionals unlock growth. 

🎧 Tune in to discover how effective monitoring and evaluation can champion smarter decision-making and deliver real, sustainable change.

Read CIPFA's 'Mission-led growth: a monitoring framework for large-scale government initiatives’ report.

Despite a 58% increase in SEND funding, outcomes for children, young people, and families have failed to improve over the past decade. Meanwhile, councils still face immense financial strain. 

💭Where is the system falling short, and what can the government do to drive real change? 

🎙️In this month’s episode of #CIPFASpeaks, we dive into the urgent reforms needed to create a fairer, more financially sustainable SEND system.  

Join Dr. William Burns, CIPFA’s Social Care Policy Advisor, and Emma Willson, Director of Education Value for Money at the National Audit Office, as they break down the key principles for reform. They explore how we can rethink funding models, improve coordination across partners, and transform the role of independent providers. 

🎧Tune in to hear expert insights on reforming SEND. 

💬"It is utterly clear that no government can - or should - spend its way out of the challenges we face."

As services stretch to breaking point, it’s clear that systemic reform, not just short-term fixes, is the only way forward.

🎙️In this episode of #CIPFASpeaks, we sit down with CIPFA CEO Owen Mapley to discuss his recent appearance at the Select Committee on Local Government Finance—where he called for a shift towards prevention, collaboration, and bold reform to restore long-term sustainability. 

🎧Tune in to hear how public finance leaders can stay principled, innovative, and resilient in the face of rising demand.

#LocalGovFinance #PublicSectorReform #SEND