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 RAID and benefits realisation, it provides a structured way to understand where you are today, so you can make informed decisions about where to go next.

Together, we discuss why this matters, how the tool works, and the value it can bring to clients looking to strengthen delivery, increase confidence, and drive better outcomes from their programmes of work.

Listen here, or watch over on YouTube

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 are in place, we share our recommendations for councils looking to stay ahead, so they’re ready to navigate change confidently when the pace picks up.

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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 and strategic transformation, to selecting the right tools and methodologies, and building a culture that supports change. Whether you're working in finance or simply navigating complex programmes of work, this episode is full of insight, experience, and ideas you can take back to your own organisation.

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 real-world experiences, best practices, and lessons learned. Whether you’re deep in the world of programme management or just curious to learn more, this podcast is for you.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss our first full episode! You can also watch our video content on Vimeo, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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 the hurdles they faced, from disparate tools to inconsistent processes, and shares practical insights into their digital transformation journey. Plus, we look ahead to the future of PPM, discussing the exciting role AI could play in public sector project delivery, alongside key considerations around data security and responsible use.

Whether you want to understand the cultural impact of structured tools or explore the potential of AI in public sector change, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and practical takeaways.

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 they interview Miranda about following the guidance that suits them, and using a tool that understands those frameworks, their initial challenges, how they are rolling out the platform with their people and their processes in mind and how they seem to be doing it just right!

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 of Verto’s seasoned experts, Craig Dixon and Simon Hall, to explore how effective training goes beyond system walkthroughs to embed real, lasting change. We’ll discuss the importance of building a culture of learning, how to tailor training to different teams, and why understanding the “why” is just as important as knowing the “how.”

If your organisation is looking to drive adoption, increase confidence, and maximise the value of your PPM platform, this episode is your blueprint.

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!

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