Purpose, pragmatism and public service with Pam Parkes, Commissioner for Birmingham City Council

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Pam Parkes, who I’ve collaborated with on the Future of Work for many years. Pam has built a remarkable career in local government, and what makes her story compelling is how deeply her work aligns with her purpose: social justice. She lives and works with an extraordinary sense of alignment to her purpose, but always with humility, pragmatism and zero sanctimony.In our conversation, we explore:A life and career anchored in purpose — how Pam has woven her commitment to social justice through everything she does, both inside and outside of work.The vital and often unseen services of the public sector, and Pam’s insider perspective on:Delivering impact in challenging environments that can sometimes conflict with your purpose.The mindset and resilience needed to stay true to yourself when facing ethical dilemmas.Pam brings a wealth of experience — from Croydon Council, to President of the Public Services People Managers Association, to her current roles including the Envoy for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. If you're focused on delivering greater impact or navigating complex systems, this is a rich and thoughtful conversation for you.