Winner Public Sector IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BAMBOO Chief executive, Scottish Ambulance Service PA ULINE HO WIE OBE
‘Keep abreast of good practice across various sectors’
After qualifying with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in 1990, Howie joined the NHS, where she served in a range of financial roles. She became FD of the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2000, later serving as COO and taking over as chief executive in 2009. What inspires you the most in your job? “The people in the NHS – on the front line and in non-patient-facing roles – who relentlessly go above and beyond to do their best for others. As a leader I’m humbled daily by their diligence and compassion.” How do you ensure good governance? “NHS Scotland has developed its own Blueprint for Good Governance, a directors’ development programme and evaluation toolkits that we can use when reviewing effectiveness and areas to improve.” What’s the secret to building a great team? “Having a vision and objectives that are agreed by the team; ensuring that everyone takes a lead on the key priorities;
Winner Third Sector Chief executive, Autistica JONATHAN SPIERS
‘Make decisions – and then deal with what happens next’
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Spiers began his career in the third sector after graduating from Cambridge in 2002. He spent six years at Cancer Research UK, where, as head of public affairs and campaigning, he led its efforts to protect under-18s from the risks of sunbed usage. Serving autism research charity Autistica as CEO since 2015, he is also a trustee of the Association of Medical Research Charities. Who has inspired you the most in your career? “Autistica’s founder, Dame Stephanie Shirley, is one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. She is a stellar businesswoman, an advocate for the oppressed, a champion of philanthropy and a tireless righter of wrongs. It’s an honour to run one of her charities.” Where do you get your best ideas? “I’m a huge believer in the principle of borrowing other people’s ideas and making them your own. I spend a lot of time on looking at ideas from business, academia and the arts – and on working
out how to combine elements of these to create something new and exciting.” What’s the best piece of leadership advice you’ve heard? “I love Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote: ‘Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticised anyway. You’ll be damned if you do and you’ll be damned if you don’t.’” What advice would you offer less experienced leaders? “It’s dangerously easy in turbulent times to delay decisions until you have more clarity. But that might come too late or not at all. Make decisions – and then deal with what happens next.” What aspects of your professional development would you like to focus on in 2020? “I’m interested in the idea of reverse mentoring, so I’m looking to find someone early in their career who can help me to understand the pressures and (I hope) the excitement felt by those entering the charity sector today. It’s very different from when I started.”
spending time together in a variety of settings; and celebrating as a team.” What’s the biggest leadership lesson you have learnt so far? “The people delivering and receiving services are the best placed to design improvements to them. The leader’s role is to create the conditions for this to happen reliably.” What advice would you offer less experienced leaders about navigating turbulent times? “Remain true to your values, confide in those close to you and keep abreast of good practice across various sectors.”
WHAT THE AWARD PARTNER SAID
Lorrin White, MD, Bamboo: “As a private business, it is healthy for us to see the drive, determination and commitment required to deliver on a wide-reaching personal purpose. It was an absolute honour to sponsor this award category and give recognition to the outstanding Public Sector Director of the Year.
PETER NUTKINS
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