Is your organisation struggling with the pressures of modern digital work, particularly within local government, where high demand, structural constraints, and constant digital noise make it harder to stay focused and productive?
Join our one-hour interactive session to explore the realities of today’s digital working environment and the challenges it creates. We’ll introduce actionable methods and techniques from Taming the Tiger Academy, designed to help you regain clarity, reduce overwhelm, and improve focus in your day-to-day work.
This Panoramic Associates session will be led by expert, Peter Varey from Taming the Tiger Academy, who will provide valuable insights on how local government teams can:
-
Tackle digital noise and distractions
-
Streamline workload management
-
Implement practical tools to boost focus and efficiency
With today’s constant digital overload, this is a rare opportunity to apply strategies that can help you:
-
Navigate and manage the pressures of modern digital work
-
Improve productivity and reduce burnout
-
Regain control over your workload and increase focus
The session will leave you with clear, practical steps to manage your digital workload more effectively, ensuring you and your team can work with greater clarity and efficiency moving forward.
Register
Sign up here.
The Details
Date: Tuesday 21st April
Time: 8am – 9am
Location: Online webinar (joining details shared upon registration)
Who: Finance, digital and transformation leaders in local government
Registration: Sign up to secure your free place
The Talk
As local government faces increasing pressures in today’s digital environment, the need to rethink how work is managed has never been more urgent. High demand, structural constraints, and constant digital noise are making it more challenging to maintain productivity and focus. This session will explore the key challenges facing local government teams and introduce practical techniques from Taming the Tiger Academy to help regain clarity, reduce overwhelm, and improve focus in everyday work.
Key themes will include:
-
Understanding the key pressures shaping today’s digital working environment
-
Why traditional workload management methods often fall short in the current landscape
-
Practical tools for reducing digital noise and improving focus
-
Techniques to streamline workload management and regain clarity
-
Enhancing productivity and reducing burnout through actionable strategies
While the tools and techniques are important, this session is about empowering attendees to take control of their work environment and adopt a proactive, strategic approach to digital challenges. Local government teams face a unique set of pressures, but with the right methods, they can create a more focused and productive digital workspace.
This session will provide valuable insights into how local government teams can start applying practical methods today to alleviate the pressures of digital work, resulting in a clearer, more manageable workload for both staff and leadership.
Our Speaker
Peter Varey – Productivity and Workload-Management Specialist, Taming the Tiger Academy
Peter is a seasoned productivity and workload-management expert with over 25 years of experience across both the public and private sectors, including 15 years in local government. Having witnessed the overwhelming digital demands of high email volumes, back-to-back meetings, and constant distractions, Peter developed practical systems and habits to regain control of his work, improve focus, and reduce cognitive overload. His success in transforming his own work processes led him to partner with his council’s Organisational Development team to run training sessions for colleagues.
Now, as the founder of Taming the Tiger Academy, Peter’s mission is to help public-sector leaders and department directors regain control of their delivery in environments designed to distract and overwhelm. His long-term goal is to create a world where local government teams operate in digital work environments that align with the natural functioning of human attention—fostering clearer, more focused workflows and enabling staff to concentrate on what truly matters.
Register
Sign up here.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
System Leadership and Upstream Impact: Charlotte’s Public Health Journey in Bracknell Forest
In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Charlotte Pavitt, Director of Public Health for Bracknell Forest, sits down with River Simmons for an insightful discussion about her unconventional path into public health, the power of system working, and the unique opportunities and challenges of leading in one of England’s smallest grant-funded areas.
A Career Shaped by Curiosity and Prevention
Starting out as a non-medic with a degree in human biology, Charlotte’s route into public health was sparked by a population health module at Warwick and first-hand experiences of the wider determinants of health during GP visits in Coventry. Rather than following the traditional clinical route, she embraced an “upstream” approach, taking on roles in NHS cardiac networks, the Healthcare Commission (now the CQC), and later a series of public health officer posts in primary care trusts.
Training played a pivotal role in her journey. Charlotte highlights the Public Health Specialist Training Scheme for its focus on learning, health protection, and system change, including a Darzi Fellowship that strengthened her passion for holistic, collaborative leadership and social prescribing.
Innovative Projects and System-Wide Success
Charlotte’s portfolio includes impactful work in Devon, where she led the Complex Lives programme and suicide prevention initiatives. She discusses securing dedicated primary care contracts for people experiencing homelessness, building relationship-driven partnerships with council services and the voluntary sector, and pioneering real-time suicide surveillance across county boundaries.
The outcomes improved access, deeper insight, and more practical support were achieved through persistent advocacy and trust-based partnerships, demonstrating the real value of system working in addressing complex and marginalised needs.
Embracing Collaborative Leadership
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Charlotte explains the importance of communication, empathy, and openness in public health. She reflects on the need to influence partners, communities, and cross-sector teams not as separate practitioners working in silos, but as co-creators of a shared vision and impact.
Balancing career progression with family life, Charlotte also highlights the importance of championing work-life balance and supporting others to thrive in their careers.
Innovation Amid Constraints
Bracknell Forest’s public health grant is among the smallest in the country, presenting both limitations and opportunities. Charlotte explains how a “doing yourself out of a job” mindset guides her work to embed health across all policies, using strong relationships within corporate management and senior leadership teams. With a lean team, the focus is on building strong partnerships, commissioning evidence-based services, and fostering a culture where health considerations are integrated into every aspect of council activity.
Facing Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities
NHS transformation, shifting local priorities, and rising obesity levels create a constantly evolving landscape for public health. Charlotte’s upcoming annual report highlights the commercial determinants of health and calls for stronger partnerships with businesses, alongside a systems approach to creating healthier environments from education and the high street to tackling poverty and strengthening social networks. Despite rapid change, Charlotte sees both challenges and opportunities for meaningful, long-term population health impact.
Shaping a New Director of Public Health Role
As Bracknell Forest’s first dedicated Director of Public Health, Charlotte discusses both the excitement and vulnerability of shaping the role from the ground up. Supported by a strong peer network across Berkshire and the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), and drawing on mentoring and professional networks, she has embraced the opportunity to build a leadership model suited to a small, agile, and ambitious local authority. Listen now to hear how Charlotte’s upstream thinking, collaborative leadership, and system-focused approach are helping to shape the future of public health in Bracknell Forest.
Subscribe for more episodes as we spotlight bold leadership, practical solutions, and the people making a difference in public health today.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
System Leadership and Upstream Impact: Charlotte’s Public Health Journey in Bracknell Forest
In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Charlotte Pavitt, Director of Public Health for Bracknell Forest, sits down with River for an insightful discussion about her unconventional path into public health, the power of system working, and the unique opportunities and challenges of leading in one of England’s smallest grant-funded areas.
A Career Shaped by Curiosity and Prevention
-->Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
Navigating Change and Collaboration: Mike Sandys on Public Health Leadership in Leicestershire & Rutland
In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire and Rutland, joins Callum Gardiner for a candid reflection on his unconventional journey into public health, the evolution of the field over three decades, and the realities of leading across two distinct counties.
In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire and Rutland, joins Callum Gardiner for a candid reflection on his unconventional journey into public health, the evolution of the field over three decades, and the realities of leading across two distinct counties.
From Necessity to Purpose: An Unlikely Beginning
Far from a traditional career path, Mike describes how economic necessity set him on a course toward public health. After early setbacks and temporary roles, a chance opportunity as a Surveys Officer sowed the seeds for a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and a deepening sense of purpose. He shares, with characteristic humility and humour, how the winding roads of financial management, research, and local government shaped a values-driven commitment to community health.
A Career of Adaptation and Impact
Tracing his route from Oldham to Salford, St Helens to Derby, and finally to Leicestershire and Rutland, Mike reflects on the shifting landscape of public health practice. He highlights how increased involvement in service delivery from smoking cessation and weight management to licensing and planning transformed the possibilities for local action. Moving between urban and rural settings broadened his perspective, driving home the importance of both scale and specificity in addressing health needs.
The Complexities of Joint Leadership
Charged with delivering public health services to both Leicestershire and Rutland, Mike offers an honest account of the challenges and benefits of joint DPH roles. He outlines the “hybrid” model that ensures each area’s needs are recognised, emphasising relationship-building, local accountability, and the strategic art of balancing “one team” with tailored approaches. Political shifts, governance hurdles, and resource constraints require creativity and diplomacy, while the richness of cross-county insight strengthens collaboration.
Building Capacity and Culture
Mike details his approach to growing one of the country’s largest public health teams, blending strategic in-house service development with asset-based community coordination. He credits financial efficiency, visibility, and close working relationships across departments as key drivers, while highlighting the value of a positive workplace culture where collaboration and authenticity thrive.
Learning, Leadership, and Advice for the Future
Whether navigating austerity, organisational churn, or the pressures of pandemic response, Mike underscores the need for resilience, self-belief, and long-term vision. He draws on formative experiences from career-defining training opportunities to challenging moments of change management to offer candid, practical guidance to early-career professionals. His advice: play the long game, invest in people, embrace opportunities, and recognise progress is incremental but impactful.
Listen now to discover how pragmatic, people-centred leadership is helping Leicestershire and Rutland meet today’s public health challenges with innovation, integrity, and hope offering vital lessons for those shaping the future of population health.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
The UK labour market may have cooled from the peaks of recent years, but salary expectations remain firmly elevated across many specialist and public-facing sectors.
According to the Totaljobs Salary Trends Report 2026, advertised median salaries have continued to rise, increasing by 7.5% year on year, with competition for skilled professionals still shaping hiring decisions.
For employers operating across the markets Panoramic Associates supports – including the public sector, built environment, healthcare, social care, IT and consulting – these trends carry some important implications.
Salary growth remains, but pressure is uneven
While salary growth has slowed in some generalist roles, specialist and regulated markets continue to command a premium. Sectors closely aligned to Panoramic Associates’ core markets, such as Built Environment, Education, Consulting, Healthcare and Social Care, remain among those experiencing sustained demand and upward pressure on pay.
In the built environment and infrastructure space, salary growth is being driven less by volume hiring and more by scarcity of experience. Roles linked to project delivery, safety, compliance and sustainability are particularly hard to fill, pushing employers to offer stronger packages to secure talent.
Similarly, healthcare and social care continue to experience long-term workforce shortages. Despite financial pressures across public services, employers are increasingly forced to balance budget constraints with competitive pay to retain frontline professionals and reduce reliance on temporary staffing.
Pay transparency is now a baseline expectation
One of the clearest shifts highlighted in the 2026 data is the growing importance of salary transparency. Around 80% of candidates now avoid applying for roles that do not disclose pay, making transparent salary ranges a minimum requirement rather than a differentiator.
For public sector bodies, local authorities and consultancies operating in regulated environments, this reinforces the need for clear, defensible pay frameworks. Candidates are comparing roles more easily than ever and are far less willing to engage in processes that feel opaque or outdated.
Salary alone is no longer enough
Although pay remains the primary driver of job moves, benefits and working conditions are playing a much larger role in final decisions. Flexible working remains the most desired benefit across industries, with learning, development and progression opportunities also rising up the agenda.
This is particularly relevant in public-facing and people-focused sectors. Professionals in social care, healthcare and consulting are increasingly prioritising workload sustainability, career longevity and wellbeing alongside pay. Employers that cannot compete at the very top end of salary bands are finding success by offering flexibility, supportive leadership and visible progression pathways.
A more cautious but mobile workforce
The data also points to a “split workforce”. While many professionals are choosing stability in an uncertain economic climate, over 40% are still actively looking or planning to look for a new role in 2026.
This creates a more selective candidate pool: fewer speculative applications, but higher expectations from those who do move.
For employers, this means that hiring processes, salary positioning and employer branding all need to be aligned from the outset. Delays, misaligned offers or unclear role scope are far more likely to result in drop-off than in previous years.
What this means for employers in 2026
Across the markets Panoramic Associates works with, the message is consistent: salary benchmarking must be realistic, transparent and combined with a broader value proposition. Employers who rely on historic pay assumptions or generic market data risk losing talent to more informed competitors.
Understanding where salary pressure genuinely exists, and where benefits, flexibility or progression can offset it, is now critical to building resilient teams. To discuss what this means for your organisation, get in touch here.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
Siobhan Farmer on Leadership, Equity and Innovation
In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health at Gloucestershire County Council, joins Callum Gardiner for an open and reflective conversation about leadership, lived experience and values-driven public health. From early curiosity about health inequalities to navigating the seismic challenges of Covid-19, Siobhan shares a deeply human account of leading public health in one of England’s most diverse rural urban counties.
Early Inspiration: From Research to Real Lives
Siobhan reflects on her early shift from laboratory-based science into public-facing roles, sparked by a desire to understand the real stories behind health data. Motivated by questions around why health outcomes vary so starkly, even in affluent societies, her career has been shaped by frontline work in healthy weight programmes, sexual health and drug services, and tackling the social determinants of health head-on.
Learning Through Crisis: Outbreaks, Uncertainty and Trust
Recounting formative experiences in the North West, Siobhan describes responding to a major measles outbreak, an experience that sharpened her skills in communication, rapid decision-making and compassion amid fear and stigma. These lessons proved invaluable when she joined Gloucestershire in January 2020, just weeks before the arrival of Covid-19. Reflecting on “18 months of intense work, largely focused on Covid”, she offers rare insight into the resilience and realities of public health teams during unprecedented times.
Leading with Empathy and Evidence
At the heart of Siobhan’s approach is a commitment to equity, supported by thoughtful use of data and deep community engagement. She highlights the Podsmead pharmacy project as a powerful example of co-production in action, where listening to residents challenged assumptions and revealed gaps in how data had been interpreted. The result was improved access for a previously underserved community and a reminder that evidence must always be grounded in lived experience.
Personal Stories, Collective Change
In one of the episode’s most powerful moments, Siobhan speaks candidly about her family’s experience of alcohol misuse and its long-term impact. By sharing her story, she makes a compelling case for compassion, honesty and cultural change, creating space for others to acknowledge harm and begin difficult but necessary conversations.
Advice for Future Leaders
Reflecting on her own journey into senior leadership, Siobhan encourages emerging leaders to find roles that align with their values and strengths. She emphasises the importance of support networks, mentorship and authenticity, reminding listeners that leadership is not about fitting a mould, but about showing up as yourself and backing others to do the same.
Listen now to explore how Siobhan Farmer’s journey, marked by humility, adaptability and moral purpose, challenges us to think more boldly about what public health can, and should, be for Gloucestershire and beyond.
Discover the stories behind the statistics and see how collaboration, lived experience and evidence-led innovation are shaping the future of public health, one community at a time.
-->Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
Social Justice as the Heart of Bristol’s Health Initiatives
In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Christina Gray, Director of Communities and Public Health for Bristol Council, joins Callum Gardiner to reflect on her journey from grassroots activism in Scotland and Northern Ireland to leading public health in one of the UK’s most diverse and dynamic cities. With characteristic humility and a strong values-led approach, Christina explores the experiences, programmes and partnerships that have shaped her lifelong commitment to social justice and improving population health.
Early Influences: Social Justice and Community Roots
Raised in Scotland with a deep sense of public service and fairness, Christina explains how her early career in homelessness services and youth justice shaped her public health perspective. First-hand exposure to inequality particularly during her work in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles strengthened her determination to address the structural causes of poor health.
From Grassroots to Systems Leadership
Christina traces her career path from social work into epidemiology, highlighting the opportunities created when public health training opened beyond medicine. She reflects on pivotal roles spanning homelessness, race and mental health equity, and neighbourhood health pilots, underscoring her belief that meaningful change comes through partnership, co-creation and long-term commitment not job titles or individual leadership alone.
Innovation in Action: Bristol’s Health at Night Programme
Turning to Bristol’s vibrant yet unequal night-time economy, Christina discusses a practical example of innovation in action. By shining a light on the health challenges faced by night-time workers, from hospitality and delivery staff to healthcare teams her work sparked new partnerships, data-led interventions and initiatives such as the Bristol Rules, promoting safety, wellbeing and inclusivity for everyone navigating the city after dark.
Building a One City Approach
At the heart of Christina’s impact is her leadership within Bristol’s One City Partnership, bringing together councils, health leaders, businesses, universities, community groups and cultural organisations to tackle shared priorities. From addressing violence against women and girls to improving access to arts and employment, she champions collaboration and creative use of city assets to reduce inequality and strengthen inclusion.
International Influence and Local Accountability
As a core city, Bristol holds national and international influence, and Christina outlines how the city’s work in harm reduction and the creative industries is shaping global conversations. At the same time, she remains firmly focused on closing entrenched inequalities between neighbourhoods through prevention, regeneration and empowering local leadership.
Leadership Reflections and Advice for the Next Generation
Christina speaks honestly about the colleagues and community leaders who inspire her through their integrity, resilience and commitment to service. She describes her leadership style as pragmatic, values-driven and collaborative, emphasising the importance of humility, listening and wearing authority lightly. Her advice to emerging public health leaders is simple but powerful: embrace imperfection, step into leadership opportunities, and remember that progress is collective and rarely linear.
Listen now to discover how Christina Gray’s journey from activism and adversity to city-wide innovation offers a compelling vision for the present and future of place-based public health in Bristol.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
We’re excited to announce that PRG Consulting, the consultancy arm of Panoramic Associates, is now officially listed on the AWS Marketplace.
This presence provides a streamlined way for our clients to access consultancy services while benefiting from the security, flexibility, and reliability of the AWS platform.
Being registered on AWS Marketplace makes it easier for our clients to engage with our expertise, but it’s important to clarify how the process works. Unlike some products that can be selected directly from the marketplace, consultancy services require a tailored approach. For clients interested in using AWS to work with PRG Consulting, the process begins with a conversation to understand their specific requirements. Once we confirm the services needed, we create a bespoke offering on AWS that aligns with the agreed scope of work. This ensures every engagement is fully customised, transparent, and designed to deliver maximum impact.
Once the client’s AWS account is set up for the engagement, they’ll receive ongoing support from our team, including dedicated points of contact for guidance, updates, and recommendations throughout the process. In some cases, clients may also have access to an AWS account manager directly through their AWS agreement. This collaborative approach ensures that each client receives tailored support and a seamless experience from start to finish.
Listing PRG Consulting on AWS Marketplace also reinforces our commitment to making consultancy services accessible and straightforward for our clients. Through this platform, clients can explore how we can support them in optimising operations, scaling teams, implementing strategic initiatives, and accessing specialist insight across multiple areas of their organisation. The marketplace makes it clear what we offer, saving time and providing confidence that they are working with a trusted, experienced partner.
By leveraging AWS Marketplace, PRG Consulting combines the best of digital convenience with personalised, high-quality consultancy. For organisations looking to improve operational efficiency, adopt best practices, or navigate complex challenges, our presence on AWS ensures expert support is always within reach.
Explore our public profile and learn more about how PRG Consulting can help your organisation succeed: AWS Marketplace: PRG Consulting
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
Unpacking Public Health: Equity, Community, and Lasting Change
In this episode of the Public Health Spotlight, Jason Strelitz, Corporate Director of Adults, Health and Communities for the London Borough of Newham, joins Callum to explore a career defined by purpose, evidence, and a relentless drive to create healthier environments for all. Spanning more than two decades, Jason’s journey reflects an unwavering commitment to tackling inequality, from frontline policy and landmark research to leading Newham’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Social Policy Roots to a Public Health Vision
Jason’s public health story began with a deep focus on child poverty and social inequality, shaped by his years at Save the Children and in various government advisory roles. His passion was ignited during a pivotal period as a social policy adviser to Sir Michael Marmot on the landmark Marmot Review. It was here that Jason realised meaningful change depends on the union of strategic evidence, community-led action, and powerful, accessible communication that compels decision-makers to listen.
Leading in the Eye of the COVID Storm
As Director of Public Health during one of the UK’s hardest-hit periods, **Jason Strelitz** reflects on the devastation, resilience, and community spirit that defined Newham’s experience. Under his leadership, public health moved from the margins to the very heart of local government. Defining moments included the shock of Newham recording the highest national COVID mortality rates, the emotional conversations with multigenerational families navigating risk, and the remarkable community efforts that broke down barriers to vaccination.
These experiences captured in his forthcoming book *Same Storm, Different Boats: Covid, Community, and How We’ve Come Together* highlight how communities weather crisis in diverse ways and underscore the essential role of local trust and partnership in achieving public health success.
Championing Trauma-Informed Practice and Upstream Solutions
Beyond the pandemic, Jason is known for championing innovative, evidence-led solutions such as trauma-informed practice in schools an approach designed to address adverse childhood experiences and keep vulnerable young people engaged in education. He emphasises that lasting change stems from collaboration and continuous learning, whether addressing knife crime, supporting mental health, or helping adults lead healthier, more independent lives.
Blending Public Health and Social Care for Greater Impact
In his unique dual role overseeing both public health and adult social care, Jason applies a lens of prevention, partnership, and adaptability, empowering teams, promoting independence, and driving integrated approaches to complex local challenges. His leadership has fostered multidisciplinary collaboration across initiatives such as Newham’s holistic response to street homelessness and the borough-wide vitamin D campaign, delivered in partnership with over forty community organisations.
Current Priorities and Future Ambitions
Newham continues to face significant inequality, deprivation, and financial pressures. Jason’s team is addressing these challenges head-on from improving youth mental health to tackling cardiovascular disease — by embedding prevention, data-led insight, and cross-sector collaboration into every initiative. The borough’s population is dynamic and diverse, but the mission remains clear: deliver community-centred solutions, foster shared purpose, and close the gap between ambition and action in prevention.
Words for Aspiring Leaders
For future public health professionals, Jason Strelitz offers a powerful message: see yourself as a leader, whatever your title. Aspire to create change, champion values, and ground your work in evidence, collaboration, and integrity. Public health, he reminds us, is about envisioning and realising a better world and every role, no matter how small, holds the potential to drive meaningful transformation.
🎧 Listen now to hear how Jason Strelitz’s reflections — on navigating crisis, fostering collaboration, and empowering new leaders — embody the enduring spirit of public health: equity-driven, community-rooted, and ever-adaptive.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.
Charlotte Pavitt on Growth, Courage, and Leadership in Public Health
In this Public Health Spotlight snippet, Charlotte Pavit reflects on what it really means to step up not just in title, but in mindset. Drawing on her journey through public health, Charlotte offers a grounded and inspiring message for professionals considering their next move: leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about having the courage to keep learning, collaborating, and leading with authenticity.
🎧 Listen to Charlotte’s Top Tip
Embracing Growth Through Opportunity
For Charlotte, career progression in public health comes from embracing opportunity even when it feels daunting. She encourages professionals to recognise the value of stepping forward before they feel completely ready:
“You’re never going to feel 100% ready, and that’s okay. Every stretch role, every new challenge, is a chance to grow your confidence and skills.”
Her advice is simple but powerful: take the opportunities that come your way, trust in the experience you already have, and allow learning to happen through action.
Confidence Comes from Connection Embracing Growth Through Opportunity
One of Charlotte’s strongest messages is the importance of connection both personal and professional. Having a supportive network of peers and mentors helps leaders navigate uncertainty, find reassurance, and maintain perspective:
“Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you in equal measure. Confidence grows when you realise you’re not doing this alone.”
This focus on collaboration reflects the wider ethos of public health: that progress happens when individuals bring their collective expertise to shared challenges.
Communication as a Leadership Superpower
Charlotte highlights communication as a defining skill for aspiring leaders not just presenting ideas clearly, but listening, influencing, and adapting messages to different audiences.
“Being able to translate complex issues into something that resonates is essential. It’s how you build trust, inspire action, and make a real difference.”
In her view, effective communication bridges the gap between public health strategy and real-world impact turning technical insight into meaningful change.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Candidly, Charlotte addresses the challenge of imposter syndrome, something almost every professional encounters when stepping into leadership. She stresses that acknowledging those feelings is the first step in managing them:
“Everyone feels it at some point even the people you look up to. The key is not to let it stop you from saying yes to new challenges.”
Through self-awareness and peer support, Charlotte encourages leaders to build confidence from within and focus on the value they bring to their teams and communities.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Public Health Leaders
● Say yes before you feel ready. Growth happens in the stretch.
● Build strong peer networks. Confidence thrives in connection.
● Develop your communication skills. Influence is built on clarity and trust.
● Acknowledge imposter feelings. They’re normal, don’t let them define you.
● Keep learning. Leadership is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
Looking Ahead: Courage, Community, and Continuous Growth
Charlotte Pavitt’s reflections remind us that public health leadership is as much about personal growth as professional development. Stepping up requires courage, curiosity, and compassion qualities that shape the next generation of leaders driving health improvement across systems and communities.
For more leadership journeys, inspiration, and practical advice from public health professionals across the UK, explore the full Public Health Spotlight podcast series.
Contact our
Specialist Hiring Teams
Panoramic Associates have dedicated hiring experts who specialise in their chosen market. Use the adjacent form to contact our team about your career ambitions or hiring requirement.