In this episode of Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill speaks with Anne Costain, Chief Financial Officer at Stonewater, one of the UK’s largest social housing providers. Managing 40,000 homes for over 93,000 people, Stonewater delivers affordable rentals, shared ownership, supported living, and specialist housing for vulnerable groups—all with a mission to create thriving communities.

Anne shares her journey from global corporate finance into the housing sector, reflecting on how treasury expertise and transformation leadership prepared her for the unique challenges of social housing. Together, they explore Stonewater’s strategic priorities.

Listeners will gain insight into the realities of CFO leadership in housing: influencing decisions beyond finance, driving community investment, and ensuring strategies translate into tangible impact for residents. Anne also discusses the importance of values alignment, governance, and communication at board level, while offering practical advice for aspiring leaders in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

This conversation reveals the truth about leading financial strategy in housing—where numbers meet purpose, and finance becomes a driver of social change. As Anne says, "Commercial for a Purpose".

In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector Podcast, host Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with Stephen Fitzgerald, Strategic Director for Finance (Section 151) at Woking Borough Council. With a career spanning decades across local government finance, Stephen has advised councils throughout England and worked closely with the Local Government Association, bringing unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today.

Together, they explore the realities behind public sector finance—from the critical responsibilities of Section 151 officers to navigating funding gaps and rising service demands. Stephen shares his perspective on transformation and innovation, while reflecting on the leadership qualities needed to steer councils through change.

Whether you’re curious about the complexity behind balancing local authority budgets, the implications of a Section 114 notice, or the future of collaboration in public finance, this conversation offers a candid look at what it really takes to keep local government sustainable.

What does it take to transform procurement from a compliance checkpoint into a strategic powerhouse? In this episode of The Truth About Public Sector, host Hannah Quinn-Hill sits down with John Wallace, Director of Procurement at Clarion Housing Group, to uncover the secrets behind building credibility, influencing stakeholders, and aligning procurement with organisational goals.

From implementing category management and cutting-edge systems to championing social value and sustainability, John shares candid insights on leadership, cultural change, and why saying “yes” matters more than saying “no.” Whether you’re a seasoned procurement professional or curious about the future of public sector strategy, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and bold ideas for driving real impact.

Tune in to learn why procurement is more than process—it’s about people, partnerships, and purpose.