Episode Details

This episode of The Truth About Local Government captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of public sector workforce leadership. Ben Dixon, Head of Workforce Solutions, is joined by Matt Masters, the newly appointed Head of Executive Workforce Solutions at OPUS People Solutions, for a candid and energising conversation about purpose, alignment and the future of talent in local government.

Matt reflects on the personal and professional journey that led him to OPUS and the wider Vertas Group, including the importance of finding an environment where his strengths as a neurodivergent leader with ADHD and OCD are understood, supported and amplified. He speaks openly about why OPUS stood out: the integrity of its leadership, the depth of technical expertise across the Group’s Managing Directors, and the rare blend of operational insight and strategic workforce capability that he believes the sector urgently needs.

Together, Ben and Matt explore the challenges facing councils today, from leadership capacity to workforce resilience, and why this moment represents a turning point for how the sector attracts, develops and retains senior talent. Matt shares his vision for building agile, high‑performing executive teams and explains why values alignment is not a “nice to have” but the foundation for meaningful, sustainable change.

This episode offers a hopeful, grounded look at what becomes possible when purpose, capability and culture align, and why Matt sees his move to OPUS as the moment that matters for both his own leadership journey and the future of workforce design in local government.