Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Penna view

Using a packed calendar of one-to-one sessions, group mental health support webinars and other events, during the last 18 months Penna provided interims with the support many were lacking, says Toni Hall.

The last 18 months has taught us a lot – not least, the power of community and how brilliant we are at helping each other when times are tough. It also exposed that even the most resilient and confident of people – when faced with uncertainty – need support.

Working as an interim manager can be a lonely place in the good times, never mind when a global pandemic stops the world in its tracks. It quickly became apparent back in March 2020 that the interim community was feeling lonelier and more adrift. Without the benefit of the ‘corporate family' or the networking events many relied on where could they get the support that the rest of us perhaps take for granted? How could their fears be allayed, and how could they share them in a safe place?

People need people! We knew we could help. Using a packed calendar of one-to-one sessions, group mental health support webinars, career guidance sessions, interview training, evening drinks via video and putting interims in touch with each other, we provided the support many were lacking.

Thank you to our clients who recognised interim managers were key to success, and ensured they were engaged and supported while on assignment. We were delighted to be voted as one of the leading executive interim providers in the recent 2021 Institute of Interim Management Survey and have our consultants ranked in the top ten for the last ten years. We hope it's because we're all about relationships and the power of community.

Toni Hall is director, public sector executive interim, at Penna

Toni.hall@penna.com

This article is sponsored content

HUMAN RESOURCES

MJ Regeneration: The council homes push needs solid foundations

By Jackie Sadek | 21 September 2026

If councils are to come close to the targets to build new homes, amid the flurry of other Burnham policies, they will need serious support to deliver, says J...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Building resilience beyond reorganisation

By Caroline Green | 21 September 2026

LGR may be paused, but stronger relationships, insight and capacity can still drive lasting reform, says Caroline Green.

HUMAN RESOURCES

LGR pause and review: what councils need to know

By Christopher Kerr | 18 September 2026

Christopher Kerr looks at the immediate issues and future concerns councils need to address following the pause in local government reorganisation.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Dithering continues despite Burnham's push for devolution

By By Joe Lepper | 17 September 2026

Joe Lepper finds devolution geographies in many places are far from being settled despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham's push for strategic authorities to cov...

Popular articles by Toni Hall

-->