The P3M Playbook Podcast

Our episode focuses on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which many councils are currently navigating or preparing for.  For those less familiar, LGR is about reshaping how local authorities are structured and how services are delivered || often under significant time pressure and with evolving direction from central government.  Joined by Vix Watson, Senior Business Analyst at Warwickshire C...

Summary:  In this episode of the PPM Playbook podcast, host Laura Watts chats to Christina Nicolescu, an experienced IT consultant and programme delivery specialist, to explore the complexities of running effective programs and portfolios.  They discuss the importance of aligning people, processes, and technology in project management, the role of PMOs in driving transformation, and the necessity...

In this episode, we sit down with Simon to reflect on his first year in role and explore how leadership, technology, and delivery are evolving across the public sector. Simon shares how his perspective on Verto’s purpose, people, and impact has developed over the past year, alongside honest reflections on what it really takes to lead in the public-sector tech space. We discuss the changing role of...

At DigiGov 2025, Verto’s Chief Product Officer, Ross Mardell, delivered a standing-room-only talk on the role of AI in supporting portfolio, programme and project management across the UK public sector. The demand was so high that many people couldn’t even get into the session. Watch the live session, recorded from the stage at the event. 

This special edition of The PPM Playbook Podcast takes you behind the scenes at DigiGov, where we spent two packed days speaking with clients, prospects, and colleagues about the real challenges shaping public sector transformation today. It’s a mash-up of spontaneous, authentic conversations that were full of insight, capturing honest reflections from people at every stage of their digital and pr...

In this episode of The PPM Playbook Podcast, I’m joined by Natasha Osborne (Head of Client Success at Verto) and Simon Hall (Chief Client Officer at Verto) to introduce an exciting new initiative: the Verto Maturity Assessment. The assessment is designed to help organisations gain a clear picture of their starting point across ten key areas of programme delivery. From governance and reporting to R...

Recorded in February 2025, this episode explores the early conversations and predictions around local government reorganisation plans. We discuss what these changes could mean for the councils affected, the potential challenges they may face, and the opportunities that come with proactive preparation. From strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to ensuring the right systems and processes ar...

Join me as I speak to Emma McMillan about running a Project Management Office within a large financial institution. Alongside Emma, Natasha Osborne, who heads up Client Success at Verto and brings her own experience from the financial sector, adds valuable perspective. The conversation was enlightening and highlighted many aspects of the evolving role of the PMO—from balancing regulatory demands a...

In this month’s podcast, we’re joined by The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero's, Deputy Director of Delivery Capability, Murray Harper and Verto's Chief Product Officer, Ross Mardell, to explore how the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) successfully tackled its project and programme management challenges by implementing Verto.  The conversation looks back at...

Miranda Craig, Director of Strategy and Change at the Financial Reporting Council, shares how they recognised the tipping point for change, and why a PPM platform became essential to future-proofing their programme delivery. This episode dives into the challenges faced by the FRC, how they chose the right solution, and what transformation looks like in practice. Join Laura Watts and Simon Hall as...

In this episode of the PPM Playbook Podcast , we dive into one of the most critical, and often overlooked, aspects of successful project portfolio management: training . But we’re not just talking about how to use a new platform; we’re talking about why it’s being brought in, how it benefits the individual user, and what it means for the organisation as a whole.   Host Laura Watts is joined by two...

In this episode of the PPM Playbook Podcast, we discuss the benefits of bringing in a PPM platform to support the business needs but when is it the right time to do so? How do organisations know that this is the next step to take? These questions and more lead us into the rabbit hole of what defines a project anyway, and beyond! Subscribe now to listen to new episodes as they appear or head to You...

Welcome to The PPM Playbook Podcast, the go-to podcast for those looking to explore the world of programme and project management. In this short trailer, we’ll introduce you to what you can expect from this podcast, such as how we’ll be tackling the challenges and successes of managing complex programmes across different industries. Join us as we chat with experts, clients, and our own team about...