Get to know Kevin Foster - Talent Bank Associate

Tell us about yourself:

I am a public sector Associate and Interim Director with over 20 years of experience in Local Government Chief Officer and Director roles and a strong track record of developing and delivering successful business support services and transformational business change.

I am a Chartered Management (ACMA) and Chartered Public Finance (CPFA) qualified accountant, have a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Interim Management (AIIM), with specific experience in delivering organisational change programmes and establishing service improvement programmes for integrated professional services covering Finance; Human Resources and Organisational Design; Information Technology and Digital; Property and facilities Management; Procurement and Exchequer and Transactional services.

I possess excellent communication and collaborative working skills and am renowned for my ability to empathise with and get under the skin of my customers and stakeholders business in order to bring forward solutions that provide an integrated response to critical business issues. I have a passion for creating solutions that get strong buy-in, are sustainable and create an energy for change within the teams and workforce.

Tell us about where you have come from and what has led you to be an associate/consultant on EELGA’s Talent Bank:

Prior to moving to independent consultancy, I was a Chief Operating Officer in a Local Government County Council and established the largest integrated shared service partnership across 3 Local Authorities covering a workforce of 2,000 people and a net operating budget of £70million. This followed previous roles in Local Government where I have led large organisational change programmes to deliver efficiencies for increased investment into front line service delivery whilst enhancing the quality of service.

I decided to set up my own company and operate as an Executive Interim, Trusted service reviewer and advisor and Transformation and change consultant in January 2021 to give me more variety and flexibility.

More details about me and my interests can be found on my website www.publicsectorassociate.com

Sector/Industry you work in:

My experience is in Local Government with the last 20 years being a Chief Officer and Director levels at City and County councils.

My specific experience is in leading, delivering organisational change programmes and establishing service improvement programmes for integrated professional services covering Finance; Human Resources and Organisational Design; Information Technology and Digital; Property and facilities Management; Procurement and Exchequer and Transactional services.

What are the most significant challenges relating to Resource Management posed by Covid:

Apart from the obvious challenges around having to manage within a void of certainty around future funding and key legislative direction, the challenges related to providing integrated and cohesive support and challenge to enable the modernisation of organisations and workplaces. Where we can exploit the benefits of new and emerging technology whilst recognising the social dynamics we thrive on as people and communities.

How does the Resource Management offer influence positive change and results for our members:

EELGA’s offer encompasses a wide range of support, which is easily accessible – enabling the right consultant to be placed at the right time.

Getting the right level of expertise and support early on is essential to ensure the success of present and future aspirations and targets.  The EELGA team can advise on the best way forward, and offer a range of solutions to fit all situations and budgets.

EELGA’s offers give its members a wealth of options, and may even highlight areas that they had not yet considered.  The ease of access via the procurement exclusion gives members a fast track entry to securing an experienced consultant quickly who has the right skills and abilities to deliver their required outcomes and outputs.

Could your organisation benefit from Kevin Foster’s expertise? Express interest in contracting Kevin by emailing [email protected]