In this episode, Matt Masters sits down with Andrew van Doorn, Chief Executive of HACT, to explore what social value really means in practice, beyond procurement scoring, compliance frameworks, and glossy reporting. Together, they unpack why the sector still struggles with the concept, how organisations can shift from transactional activity to meaningful community impact, and what it takes to embed social value into everyday decision‑making.

Andrew reflects on HACT’s role in shaping national thinking, the evolution of the Social Value Roadmap, and the cultural and leadership shifts required to move from “doing social value” to living it. This conversation challenges assumptions, reframes impact as a long‑term relational endeavour, and offers practical insights for leaders across housing, health, and public services.

For years, the national housing debate has been dominated by one metric: quantity. How many homes can we build, how quickly, and at what scale. But that fixation on numbers has pushed a more fundamental question into the background, are the homes we build, manage, and retrofit actually good for people’s health?

In this episode, Matt Masters is joined by Faye Sanders, Doctoral Researcher in Housing and Health, and Co‑Chair of both the Healthy Homes Research Network and the Housing Studies Association. Together, they explore why housing quality is a public health issue, how poor‑quality homes drive avoidable costs for providers and the NHS, and what it really takes to build cross‑sector partnerships that improve outcomes for residents.

Faye brings insights from her research, examples of effective collaborations between housing and health, and reflections on how the sector can shift its mindset, from “how many” to “how well.”

In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector, Matt sits down with Andrew, Chief Executive of HACT, the charity at the heart of social housing innovation for over 60 years. Together, they explore how housing can act as the backbone of cross‑sector collaboration, from health and financial inclusion to data standards and community investment.

The conversation digs into the societal problems no single organisation can fix alone, poor health outcomes, inequality, carbon reduction, and the widening trust gap between institutions and communities. Andrew shares how HACT’s work on social value, data excellence, health‑and‑housing integration, and retrofit innovation is helping housing providers partner more effectively with councils, the NHS, and voluntary sector organisations to create real, measurable impact.

This is a candid, practical, and future‑focused discussion about what it will take to build systems that genuinely work for people, not just organisations.

In this episode, Matt Masters sits down with Tony Mallaghan MSc CIHCM, Chief Executive of Yorkhill Housing Association and former strategic lead for Scotland’s largest council housebuilding programme. Together they explore why collaboration across public bodies, housing associations, utilities, and the private sector is no longer optional, it’s the only way to deliver homes, tackle homelessness, and meet net zero ambitions in the modern era.

Tony reflects on his leadership in North Lanarkshire, where a 5,000‑home programme demanded innovative partnerships with developers, Scottish Water, the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division, and local Housing Associations. He shares the lessons learned from brownfield regeneration, turnkey acquisitions, and the Strategic Housing Investment Plan process.

The conversation then shifts to Yorkhill, where the challenges look very different: homelessness pressures in Glasgow, the complexities of tenemental retrofit, and the need for a coordinated national approach to clean heat and energy efficiency.

This is a grounded, honest, and practical discussion about what collaboration really looks like, the tensions, the breakthroughs, and the opportunities for a more joined‑up future.

In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector, host Matt Masters sits down with James Walder, Chief Executive of North Star Housing Group, to explore what it really takes to build and sustain resilient communities in the modern public sector landscape.

Drawing on North Star’s long-standing commitment to social purpose, community investment, and trauma-informed practice, Matt and James unpack the practical realities behind “community resilience”, what it means, how it’s built, and why Housing Associations are uniquely positioned to lead this work.

From the pressures of the current economic climate to the deep-rooted strengths within communities themselves, this conversation goes beyond strategy and into lived experience, organisational culture, and the power of long-term relationships.

Expect honesty, challenge, and a grounded look at what works, and what doesn’t, when trying to build stronger, safer, more connected places.

In this episode, Matt Masters speaks with Craig Browne, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice North Staffordshire, and Amy Thomas, Head of Debt, about the escalating debt crisis gripping the region and the country at large. Over the past three years, debt cases have surged by 600%, with the organisation’s collective personal debt caseload rising from £30 million when Craig joined in March 2024 to £212 million by the end of the year.

Craig and Amy unpack the pressures driving this unprecedented rise, the difference between priority and non‑priority debts, and the reality facing households who are running out of options. They explore their partnerships with seven Citizens Advice services nationwide, their accreditation for Debt Relief Orders, and their work helping people write off unmanageable debt or move onto affordable repayment plans.

The conversation also highlights their preventative work, budgeting support, and the collaborative effort needed to stop people falling back into crisis.

In this episode of Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill speaks with Anne Costain, Chief Financial Officer at Stonewater, one of the UK’s largest social housing providers. Managing 40,000 homes for over 93,000 people, Stonewater delivers affordable rentals, shared ownership, supported living, and specialist housing for vulnerable groups—all with a mission to create thriving communities.

Anne shares her journey from global corporate finance into the housing sector, reflecting on how treasury expertise and transformation leadership prepared her for the unique challenges of social housing. Together, they explore Stonewater’s strategic priorities.

Listeners will gain insight into the realities of CFO leadership in housing: influencing decisions beyond finance, driving community investment, and ensuring strategies translate into tangible impact for residents. Anne also discusses the importance of values alignment, governance, and communication at board level, while offering practical advice for aspiring leaders in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

This conversation reveals the truth about leading financial strategy in housing—where numbers meet purpose, and finance becomes a driver of social change. As Anne says, "Commercial for a Purpose".

In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector Podcast, host Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with Stephen Fitzgerald, Strategic Director for Finance (Section 151) at Woking Borough Council. With a career spanning decades across local government finance, Stephen has advised councils throughout England and worked closely with the Local Government Association, bringing unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today.

Together, they explore the realities behind public sector finance—from the critical responsibilities of Section 151 officers to navigating funding gaps and rising service demands. Stephen shares his perspective on transformation and innovation, while reflecting on the leadership qualities needed to steer councils through change.

Whether you’re curious about the complexity behind balancing local authority budgets, the implications of a Section 114 notice, or the future of collaboration in public finance, this conversation offers a candid look at what it really takes to keep local government sustainable.

What does it take to transform procurement from a compliance checkpoint into a strategic powerhouse? In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with John Wallace, Director of Procurement at Clarion Housing Group, to uncover the secrets behind building credibility, influencing stakeholders, and aligning procurement with organisational goals.

From implementing category management and cutting-edge systems to championing social value and sustainability, John shares candid insights on leadership, cultural change, and why saying “yes” matters more than saying “no.” Whether you’re a seasoned procurement professional or curious about the future of public sector strategy, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and bold ideas for driving real impact.

Tune in to learn why procurement is more than process—it’s about people, partnerships, and purpose.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Fiona, a seasoned procurement and transformation specialist, to explore the real-world challenges and triumphs of driving change in the public sector.

Fiona shares her journey through high-impact interim roles, including her pivotal work in local authorities following their intervention period. With a focus on strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and building team capability, Fiona reveals how procurement transformation is as much about people as it is about process.

We delve into her approach to organisational culture, data, and contract management — and hear how her work helped shape a nationally available toolkit for local authorities. Fiona also offers her perspective on the Procurement Act 2023, unpacking the opportunities and complexities it brings for public sector compliance and innovation.

Whether you're a procurement professional, transformation leader, or simply curious about how change really happens in government, this episode is packed with practical insights and authentic reflections.

Tune in now to hear the truth about public sector transformation — and why procurement might just be the strategic enabler you’ve been overlooking.