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In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, we head to Bracknell Forest to hear from Charlotte Pavitt, Director of Public Health (DPH), as she shares her journey and experiences in public health leadership.

Charlotte reflects on her non-traditional route into public health, beginning with a background in human biology and a pivotal population health module that inspired her to move “further upstream”. She discusses her early career in NHS quality improvement and primary care trusts, before undertaking specialist training and a Darzi Fellowship, which ignited her passion for system leadership and social prescribing.

Drawing on roles across London and the South West, Charlotte shares her experience leading pioneering work around complex lives, including commissioning GP services for homeless and vulnerable communities, and embedding mature partnership approaches to suicide prevention in Devon. She highlights the realities of building trust across diverse systems with competing priorities and significant health inequalities.

The conversation explores what it means to lead one of England’s smallest public health teams and how that constraint can drive creativity and collaborative leadership. Charlotte outlines her “health in all policies” approach, the importance of influencing across council structures, and how to seize opportunities within transforming health and care systems. She speaks candidly about tackling rising obesity, addressing the commercial determinants of health, and recognising how environments from high streets to social networks shape outcomes just as much as individual choices.

Reflecting on key career milestones, Charlotte discusses balancing family life with professional progression, overcoming imposter syndrome, and stepping into Bracknell Forest’s first dedicated Director of Public Health role.

Throughout the episode, she offers honest insight into collaborative leadership, winning hearts and minds, and the value of strong peer networks both locally and through ADPH. Her advice to aspiring leaders is clear: invest in relationships, communicate with empathy, and remain open-minded about what public health success looks like.

This episode is a candid and encouraging exploration of modern public health leadership rooted in partnership, pragmatism, and making a tangible difference to communities.

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Thank you for tuning in to Public Health Spotlight: A Panoramic Associates Podcast. For more expert discussions on public health, be sure to subscribe. Visit our website at panoramicassociates.co.uk to learn more about our work in the public health sector. This podcast is produced in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Public Health.

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In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Callum Gardiner is joined by Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire and Rutland.

Mike shares his unconventional journey into public health, beginning in health economics and shaped as much by circumstance as ambition. From warehouse work and NHS finance roles to research posts in Oldham and Salford, he reflects on how a chance opportunity spotted by his brother in a local newspaper set him on a path that would eventually lead to his appointment as a joint Director of Public Health.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience, Mike discusses how public health practice has evolved over time. From the early days of smoking cessation services and health promotion units to today’s digital outreach and targeted interventions, he offers a thoughtful perspective on how the profession has adapted to changing societal needs.

The conversation explores the unique challenge of serving both Leicestershire and Rutland two distinct areas with different populations, priorities and political landscapes. Mike explains the hybrid model he has developed to ensure both communities receive tailored, high-quality public health support, while navigating governance structures and maintaining strong political relationships.

He speaks candidly about the realities of being a joint DPH: the need for resilience, adaptability and strategic relationship management, particularly in the face of financial pressures, shifting political administrations and organisational change.

The episode also examines collaborative work with the NHS and wider partners, highlighting the complexities of cross-sector prevention agendas within constrained budgets. Mike reflects on his involvement in regional initiatives such as the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), underlining the importance of research, community engagement and building capability across local government.

Listeners will gain insight into leading teams across both urban and rural contexts, the benefits of bringing services in-house, and the value of asset-based community development. Mike discusses the role of local area coordinators and why fostering a strong, collaborative culture is essential to delivering sustainable impact.

The episode concludes with personal reflections, from navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to championing bowel cancer screening and HPV programmes earlier in his career. Mike offers practical advice to those starting out in public health: play the long game, build partnerships, seize opportunities and have confidence in your contribution.

This is a frank and inspiring conversation about leadership in practice. A reminder that public health is shaped not only by data and strategy, but by people, relationships and a sustained commitment to improving lives and reducing inequalities one community at a time.

Subscribe for more leadership stories, public health insights and real-world impact from the Public Health Spotlights team.

Thank you for tuning in to Public Health Spotlight: A Panoramic Associates Podcast. For more expert discussions on public health, be sure to subscribe. Visit our website at panoramicassociates.co.uk to learn more about our work in the public health sector. This podcast is produced in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Public Health.

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In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Callum is joined by Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health for Gloucestershire County Council. Together, they trace Siobhan’s remarkable public health journey from her early university days in physiology and back pain research to hands-on work in health promotion, tackling issues such as childhood obesity, drugs, alcohol, and teenage pregnancy in the North East and North West.

Siobhan opens up about the moments that shaped her perspectives on inequality, social justice, and the power of community engagement. She shares how her eye-opening experiences in deprived neighbourhoods and witnessing the stark contrasts in life expectancy across the UK ignited her passion for making health opportunities fairer for all.

The conversation delves deep into Siobhan’s diverse portfolio—including managing a major measles outbreak in Merseyside, leading innovative sexual health and NHS Health Check programmes in Salford, and championing data-driven approaches to improve services. Notably, she discusses her move to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and her role in shaping impactful screening initiatives, always mindful of equity, evidence, and the hidden costs and benefits of public health interventions.

Arriving in Gloucestershire just as COVID-19 struck, Siobhan reflects on the immense challenges and critical leadership lessons she gained during the pandemic—drawing on her crisis experience to steer urgent, cross-agency action. She describes the distinct health landscape of Gloucestershire, from urban to deeply rural communities, and the collaborative work required to support them all.

A standout feature of this episode is Siobhan’s personal and powerful “Just Another Drop” annual report, where she candidly shares her family’s experience with alcohol misuse and its ripple effects on children and communities. Her reflections highlight the importance of compassion, vulnerability, and open conversation in public health leadership.

Other highlights include an in-depth look at achieving real-world change—such as opening a much-needed pharmacy in Podsmead by combining data with lived experience from the community and elected officials. Siobhan also offers valuable advice on career progression, confidence, mentorship, and why finding the right environment for your leadership style is crucial.

Tune in for an honest and inspiring exploration of leadership, resilience, and the reality of public health in action across teams, communities, and crises—and learn why public health is not just about data, but about people, partnerships, and persistent hope for a fairer future.

Thank you for tuning in to Public Health Spotlight: A Panoramic Associates Podcast. For more expert discussions on public health, be sure to subscribe. Visit our website at panoramicassociates.co.uk to learn more about our work in the public health sector. This podcast is produced in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Public Health.