A blog written by Mark McAllister, Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation

A personal drive shaping my contribution to public service

Since taking on the role of Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in 2019 and joining PCF, I have become increasingly interested in the best models for delivering public service. I have been particularly inspired by the breadth and depth of experience among PCF members, gained in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. I believe we are well placed to drive a conversation about public sector delivery. As part of our series of ‘chairs’ challenge’ member sessions, I look forward to our upcoming conversation on collaborative delivery models.

Introducing Oasis, a family of charities

Alongside my role with ONR, I am particularly proud to be chair of Oasis Charitable Trust, which is a charity aimed at building strong communities and restoring people to community who find themselves on the outside for whatever reason.

With a Christian ethos, Oasis has grown over 35 years to deliver housing, education, training, youthwork, healthcare and other community services through a network of staff and volunteers. Much of the work that Oasis does is to deliver services funded by the public purse augmented by general fundraising and the work of the volunteers. Its most recent initiative is Oasis Restore, a joint project with the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education to develop a Secure School in Kent.

Inviting public body chairs to explore alternative delivery models

The UK public sector is evolving and chairs of public bodies have a critical role to play. Collaborative models for public service delivery are rapidly maturing.  

I think it is important that we look beyond traditional models of public service delivery to consider collaborative opportunities to enable the most effective and efficient use of public funds.  

In our upcoming ‘Chairs’ Challenge’ on Thursday 20 October we will explore some of these alternative delivery models, as part of the future of public service. I shall be inviting PCF members and guests to reflect on effective delivery in collaboration with a range of providers from charities and other not-for-profit organisations.  

Bringing fresh perspectives to public service delivery

Recently, we’ve hosted some cracking conversations, drawing on the experiences from within the PCF membership. In our next session we’ll be joined by Rev. Steve Chalke, Founder Oasis Charitable Trust, together with Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol and Baroness Deborah Stedman-Scott OBE DL, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Together these speakers bring a wide range of experience and perspectives to this topic. Prior to her elevation to the Lords and her role at DWP, Baroness Stedman-Scott worked in the charitable sector for both the Salvation Army and Tomorrow’s People Trust. Marvin Rees also worked in the charitable sector before becoming Mayor of Bristol in 2016. There he has led a discussion with charities about their role in making Bristol a City of Hope. Steve Chalke founded Oasis over 35 years ago and has seen it grow into a major contributor to the delivery of public services.  

PCF sessions are open to public body chairs, contact PCF Secretariat for registration details.