Public bodies across Wales are under sustained pressure – financially, demographically and operationally. Yet as I joined colleagues at the CIPFA Wales conference, the message that emerged was not one of resignation but of resolve. Throughout the day, I was struck by how consistently speakers and delegates returned to the same foundations: prevention, collaboration and a shared commitment to long-term thinking.
The event opened with reflections from Tom Bowring, CIPFA Cymru President, who reminded us of the strength of the Welsh public finance community. His emphasis on staying connected, sharing practice and supporting the networks that underpin good public services resonated strongly with me. In a year where workloads continue to rise, his message felt like both an encouragement and a call to action: contribution matters just as much as capability.
