Three people designed the Black and Asian Leadership Initiative (BALI): Patrick Scott who worked for the predecessor organisation that is now The Staff College; Rosemary Campbell-Stephens MBE who is now a freelance international consultant and coach on leadership, following her role as Principal for the National College for Educational Leadership in the Ministry of Education, Jamaica and me (Meera). Rosemary was an associate with the National College for School Leadership in the UK and I had, due to long term health issues, retired from my role as Director of Children’s Services. I have over 35 years experience in local government and was an HMI in the London region.

The events of 2020 have demonstrated the value of foresight in policy. But also how hard it is to predict the future. Above all, it shown us how complex and fast-moving our world is. If ever there was a need for innovation in policymaking it is now. (Professor Chris Fox, Director of PERU and colead of MetroPolis at Manchester Metropolitan University) Please download below the PDF ‘A Stitch in Time: Realising the value of futures and foresight’.

Building Local Bridges to the Future – Joan Munro and Ian Burbidge Local government has stepped up in the wake of Covid-19 despite a decade of financial emasculation. A key lesson is that chronic underfunding has eroded slack in the system. Slack is essential; it is not waste, it enables resilience. Ian Burbidge, associate director, RSA To read the publication, please download the PDF below.

Business leaders had no choice but to change their workplaces due to COVID-19. Now is the time to cement those changes to support powerful new ways of working. Discover how putting human needs at the centre of your digital transformation delivers sustainable prosperity. Download the PDF to read the full article.

The author of this post is Sherry Malik, who is passionate about social justice and social care. She has over 30 years experience of leading and managing a diverse portfolio in public services. She is currently a NED @Dimensions UK and a former DCS @NSPCC, exec roles @MyCafcass, @LBofHounslow and GSCC. I told myself that talking about what I experienced in the context of my gender and my race would somehow label me, that it would stop others from seeing me as a credible senior manager…. The airwaves continue to resound with the issues raised by Black Lives Matter campaign. While I am really pleased that everyone is engaged and there is permission to talk right now, for me personally,…