The first of the Forum’s two prominent speakers was Greg Field FCA, Managing Partner at Ernst & Young. In the past three years he has led a number of projects in federal, state and territory public sectors, particularly in the area of shared services.  
 
Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Greg was the Chief Finance and Information Officer of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) at the Deputy Secretary Level. Greg’s depth of experience in the private and public sector ensured he is well equipped to convey the challenges and contemporary commentary of the benefits of shared services. Greg shared recent Australian and New Zealand experiences around shared services, strategy development and implementation in the public sector. 
 
Greg explained, “as Australian government seeks to drive efficiency and combat increasing skills shortages through shared services, the pressure to make these initiatives succeed is high. Public servants are under increasing pressure to ensure programs deliver their promised results.” 
The second speaker was Michael Vanderheide, Head of Shared Services, ACT Government. 
 
Michael Vanderheide was appointed as the Head of the ACT Government’s newly established Shared Services Centre in May 2006.  
 
As General Manager of the group he provided the practical application insight then demonstrated the challenges, the benefits and the savings shared services can deliver to government. The ACT government delivered its target of saving over $20 million. 
 
“Staff continue to gain an understanding of the principle behind shared services and have accepted it in principle; however this area requires continual positive reinforcement.”  
 
As this is an election year, Michael is in no doubt that the current Chief Minister is keen to push the “shared services” even further and more services could continue to enter his area of responsibility.  
 
The Public Sector Forum is designed to meet the needs of our members who work in or closely with government where senior government officials present contemporary management issues. The Forum regularly attracts 80-90 registrations; this is a no cost event and is sponsored by Hays recruitment for 2008/09.