Louise Heayns - Consultant.
I was working for a small district council in the South West when I studied for CIPFA. Having qualified, I realised that I would probably not be able to fully utilise the knowledge gained due to the size and location of the council.
I joined Public Sector Consultants in March 2007 and in the two years since have worked with 6 different local authorities, including a Unitary Authority and a London Borough. The work has been varied ranging from interim service accountant roles through to a project management role. My main worry when I joined was the thought of being on my own, away from home and not having anybody around to discuss any problems I encountered at work. I needn’t have worried. I have regular contact with the local government managers and Head Office staff that support the consultants. In addition, the Company has an employee forum where anybody can raise queries and share knowledge or simply keep in touch. As well as the forum, the Company holds two away days each year when we gather to catch up on Company news, share experiences and socialise.
The job brings great benefits such as company cars and the opportunity to join the Company’s share options scheme and every year all employees and their partners are treated to a fantastic anniversary party.
Sophie Allen - Resources Manager.
I joined Public Sector Consultants in June 2003 as a temporary support assistant initially working with Barry Grice and his NHS clients. My degree is in Social Policy and I wanted to pursue this interest in public administration, whilst building on my experience within the recruitment industry and was really at a cross roads in my early career. I contemplated entering the teaching profession but within a few months of being with the Company, I was offered the chance to join the first dedicated resources, sales and marketing team comprising Barry Cornelius and….me! This really fast tracked me into the
centre of the Company and I got the opportunity to visit clients and consultants around the country, and I learnt so much about Local Government & NHS bodies, in particular around finance and their struggles to recruit and retain experienced professionals.
A year later I became the manager of the Resources, Sales & Marketing team. I’ve just returned from 9 months maternity leave and because of the growth of the team, it has been reorganised, with me as Resources Manager. It’s great to be back with the team, identifying and recruiting new talent to help the business grow further. I think for me the reason I am still with Public Sector Consultants 7 years later is that the Company has a clear management structure yet it is still easy to talk directly to the Chief Executive and Board of Directors, which is unique in an expanding company and, unlike larger firms we are not full of tiers of bureaucracy. Individual talent is recognised, nurtured and rewarded.
The Company employs exceptional people and depending upon their own career aspirations harnesses their skills and offers opportunities to ensure longevity and job satisfaction. We have great perks such as company cars, laptops, the opportunity to join the Company’s share option scheme and, all employees plus their partners are treated to a fantastic annual anniversary ball. In addition 2 away days each year mean that we are all able to stay in touch with each other, but we can do that anyway on our company mobile phones!