New horizons after a Labour landslide: Embracing diversity and cross-sector talent

The recent General Election demonstrated a political earthquake. The Labour Party’s landslide displays a huge shift in Britain’s political landscape. Congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their success and the political stability this then provides with such a significant majority.

It was an election of many firsts and I would also like to congratulate the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves on becoming the UK’s first female holder of the role as well as all the MPs elected into their roles, making up the most diverse UK Parliament in history, with 264 women MPs, not 50%, yet a significant shift in the right direction.

With a manifesto based upon stability and economic growth, access to cross-sector talent is fundamental to this key commitment from the new government. At Odgers Interim, we look forward to the expanding opportunities that this will bring. New announcements daily on planning reform, devolution and the NHS demonstrate the growing need for talent at a local and national level. Yet this greater economic stability and policy of ‘national renewal’ is contingent upon effective leadership- the key to successful policy.

Odgers Interim maintains many links and connections within government; namely aiding in the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer to the position of Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008. We have also recently hosted Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in an event surrounding climate change and achieving net zero and Dame Sue Owen, the previous Permanent Secretary at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (and Rachel Reeves former boss), in an event earlier this month.

Nevertheless, with a political earthquake comes many individuals, often with years of varied experience in politics and policy, who are left out of the job overnight. Timely with our recent event with Lord Morse for Political Leaders considering future career options given the, at times, brutal nature of public service and losing ones seat. Politicians moving out of the public sector may seek new opportunities to develop their personal interests and passions in the private sector after politics.

Such varied experiences are necessary within diversifying and evolving public and private sectors in bringing in a wide range of experiences and skills that can be applied to either sector. The nature of the role of politicians in their engagement with such diverse policy issues, networks and sectors makes them well-suited to roles in the private sector.

In my recent articles I have also addressed the ‘porosity’ of individuals who may move from top public sector roles to private sector roles, and vice versa. In this piece I wrote earlier this year, I talk about the movement of many local government executives into commercial roles. Namely, the sports sector - one in which Odgers has a strong track record.

Such exploration of varied experience in ministerial roles has already been a focus of the new government. The appointment of James Timpson OBE as Prisons, Parole and Probation Minister demonstrates how such talent and expertise from the private sector is being actively deployed to find solutions to policy puzzles. And also with Sir Patrick Vallance who we also have had the pleasure of leading the search for his appointment as Chief Scientific Adviser previously, as another fine Ministerial appointment.

On the horizon lies a new policy direction for the UK, centred around economic stability, public services and sustainability. It brings with it an evolving need for diverse, cross-sector talent more than ever before. If you would like to find out more about the need for cross-sector talent and how Odgers is supporting the new government, please do get in touch.