Written by:
River Simmons,
Senior Consultant
Bradford Council
The Problem
Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council required an Interim Director of Public Health to ensure continuity of leadership while commencing the search for a permanent appointment. As a statutory role, the position could not remain vacant without risking disruption to essential public health functions and governance.
The urgency of the requirement was heightened by Bradford’s complex and distinctive public health landscape, including significant health inequalities and diverse community needs. The Council therefore required an experienced senior leader with the right technical expertise, local authority experience, and the ability to deliver against specific public health outcomes from day one.
Here from Andrew Taylor, Director of Public Health at Bradford Council:
The Solution
Panoramic Associates engaged immediately with the Strategic Director for Adults, Health and Housing to fully understand the Council’s priorities, challenges, and the specialist expertise required for the role.
Leveraging deep market knowledge and an established network of senior public health professionals, Panoramic Associates conducted a targeted and thorough talent search. This approach focused on identifying high-calibre Interim Directors of Public Health with a proven track record of operating in complex local authority environments and delivering measurable public health outcomes.
Panoramic Associates managed the process end-to-end, ensuring pace, quality, and alignment with statutory requirements, while providing expert guidance throughout the appointment process.
The Result
Through Panoramic Associates’ expertise in the public health market and ability to rapidly access senior interim talent, Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council successfully appointed an Interim Director of Public Health within a critical timeframe.
The appointment provided immediate leadership stability, enabling the public health team to continue delivering essential services and strategic priorities without interruption. This ensured continuity in addressing Bradford’s public health challenges while the Council progressed with recruitment to the permanent position, safeguarding outcomes for the population of Bradford.
