Governance should not be viewed as an overhead; it should be an organisational priority.

Enabling the efficient, open and sustainable operation of public bodies is one of the core benefits that governance can have in public policy.  Recognising and understanding the lessons that the public sector can learn from the private sector through the practical application of good corporate governance will help itself, but it would also enable the further development of governance regulations and codes.

Whilst public bodies become more and more constrained by shrinking budgets and higher expectations, it is important for them to understand the importance of governance. 

Governance should not be viewed as an overhead; it should be an organisational priority.

With table stakes increasing in significance and reach, combining good governance into political commitment, institutional frameworks and ethical behaviour are paramount.  These guardrails, over time, will reduce financial waste, incrementally grow trust, increase access to public services and result in positive outcomes for citizens.  Despite the regulations and oversight mechanisms public entities are bound by, there are several lessons that they can learn from the private sector, allowing them to become more agile and responsive to constituents.

The contribution of effective corporate governance is more apparent in the loss than the gain, and this holds true for both the public and the private sector. Claims that corporate governance has little to offer to the public sector are mistaken in their understanding of what it sets out to achieve.

Although organisations in the public sector are unique in being tasked with public interest goals and having politically accountable leadership, the contribution of corporate governance should be as beneficial as in the private sector. When the principles of good governance are not followed, the consequences in the public sector can be disastrous.

Ultimately, corporate governance is focused on the proper and accountable management of an organisation, and the public or political status of an organisation cannot excuse a failure to fulfil this.

How we help clients:

• Public Inquiry – Our team have worked as the governance assessors to the PO Horizon Inquiry (the UK’s largest public inquiry) and bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and calmness to the eye of the storm.  Our team are free of conflicts of interest, and handpicked to bring you the impartial expertise that is needed.
• Impact Assessment – Our frameworks help you predict the potential outcomes of policies, helping public sector clients understand the implications of their decisions.
• Restructuring – Our team can help advise on the restructuring of public sector entities to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Operational Efficiency – Our team can help you optimise processes and reduce costs by identifying inefficiencies and nuances in operations.