Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Commercial nous with public service values

The bottom line should never be the top priority, for the private or public sector, writes Yvonne Skingle

Many authorities are now seeking more commercial talent and attitudes in their organisations as they try to do more with less. We focus specifically through our recruitment, to transition private sector candidates to the public sector. What our clients really want, of course, is commercial nous with public service values.

From my six years of working at Penna I know this is possible. We are a recruiter with personality, which means we operate as a collaborative team, with strong commercial knowledge, personal conviction and commitment to the public sector.

For example, I wouldn't be in this job if I didn't win work, but I achieve this by focusing on my passion for improving public services.

Given that we work with elected members and chief executives to appoint to the top roles and then support organisational people trans-formation, we are able to see the impact our work has made on local communities, partners, businesses, operating models, and workforce cultures. This drives my and our success.

I can think of places where our work has helped to transform locality and organisation – through recruitment of new modern leaders who work together to change a place for the better. Our commercial thinking is genuinely enabling public service outcomes.

The bottom line, in our experience, should never be the top priority, for the private or public sector. In our experience, values drive success.

Yvonne Skingle is director at Penna

yvonne.skingle@penna.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

Why local growth promotes unity

By Tom Lloyd Goodwin | 28 October 2025

Tackling inequality isn’t just about investing in the high-growth sectors of the Industrial Strategy. Dr Tom Lloyd-Goodwin argues it’s time to turn attention...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Closing the skills gap

By Greg Clark | 28 October 2025

Greg Clark ponders if post-16 reforms will finally pull the UK out of its productivity slump?

HUMAN RESOURCES

Balancing UK industrial strategy with Local Growth Plans

By Paige Portal | 27 October 2025

Paige Portal looks at whether local government can balance the Industrial Strategy’s national priorities with their own regional strengths and distinct needs.

HUMAN RESOURCES

What is the baseline for an AI use policy?

By Iain Simmons | 27 October 2025

Iain Simmons sets out the minimum requirements for an effective AI use policy which can be adapted to businesses and organisations of every size.

Popular articles by Yvonne Skingle