What makes a person jump from a glittering career in the public sector into the private sector? It might be a surprising choice for some, so let me explain why I’ve started on this journey. (No, it’s not the money!)
I served 16 years within Policing, first beginning my career with Lothian and Borders Police and then moving to Police Scotland with the inception of 8 forces into one national service. During this time, I had the tremendous privilege to work with some of the finest officers and staff in the UK, dealing with challenging situations and major events. I also dealt with delivery of one of the most complex transformation projects undertaken in the public sector.
As an Inspector, I established a strategic programme for transforming working practices using technology, namely Body Worn Video (BWV). Leading the initiation (business requirements), planning and delivery from Initial Business Case to Full Business Case. I negotiated with suppliers and managed extensive internal and external stakeholder engagement including a 13-week public consultation that received over 9,000 responses from members of the public. I also had to explore and appraise options whilst engaging colleagues in user research. Designing a system and its features, using agile techniques to prioritise and iteratively improve and add value, I delivered the transformation, resulting in use of BWV technology to make policing more efficient. Completion of this project brought Police Scotland up to the standard expected by the public and its officers.
I also led on the benefits analysis that showed an achievement of 0.5 million officer hours saving over the lifetime of the project and non-cashable efficiency savings of ~£15m in a constrained and often uncertain operating environment, all on time and on budget.
Although the work I have mentioned so far is clearly applicable to the private sector, I also want to acknowledge the skills I obtained leading a team of 20 officers policing within Forth Valley (population approx. 300,000) directing uniformed response to critical incidents and large-scale events. These included high profile murders and anti-drug supply operations. This wasn’t just managerial work; this was leadership at its best.
With all this experience both operational and corporate, it was at this point that the lightbulb struck: could I take these skills and move over to the private sector?
My answer: “YES.”
It was a daunting prospect. So many voices said, “don’t do it.” But to quote Martin Luther King, Jr., “Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” I decided to make the move.
I’ll admit the transition has not been easy. There have been challenges around every corner. But change is what I wanted, and change is what AAB Consulting helps organisations understand and deliver. Having the opportunity to work for AAB Consulting and help shape the future of change in society is an opportunity I could not look past and will relish every day going forward.
So, as I embark on this new change journey, here’s another quote to remember: “A winner is a person who never gives up.” (Nelson Mandela)
