Corporate Restructure
Client Context
Slough Borough Council underwent a significant corporate restructure aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness across its workforce. The restructure sought to increase capacity at senior levels of the organisation to stabilise operations and develop a new operating model for recovery. These changes would enable SBC to focus on improving services and realigning resources with organisational goals and community needs. A comprehensive review of existing roles, functions and workflows was conducted to identify areas for improvement and realign the workforce and directorate structures with the council’s evolving priorities. Like many local authorities, SBC faced challenges including resource constraints, changing demands and the need to boost organisational capability and resilience.
Our Approach
Human Engine were commissioned to lead the design of the restructure and the associated consultation process. Our approach included:
Working closely with the leadership team to understand their vision, challenges and objectives through workshops and discussions.
Developing a detailed project plan outlining key activities, milestones, timelines and deliverables to keep the project on track and ensure accountability.
Collaboratively created approximately 48 job descriptions with input from directors to align with organisational goals and team needs.
Implementing streamlined consultation processes, including categorising staff queries to enable efficient response management by directors.
Partnering with the council’s communication team to ensure timely and clear updates to staff throughout the restructuring process.
Implementing a structured approach with weekly progress meetings to track milestones, address challenges and ensure adherence to tight deadlines.
Focusing on a "doing it with" rather than "doing it to" methodology to foster staff buy-in and commitment to the changes.
Outputs and Outcomes
Through a collaborative and structured approach, SBC achieved a more efficient and resilient workforce operating model, setting the foundation for sustainable organisational recovery and improved service delivery.
Key outcomes from this programme of work included:
Enhanced Role Clarity: Developed and aligned job descriptions to improve understanding of roles and responsibilities across teams, resulting in greater efficiency.
Improved Staff Engagement: Transparent communication and opportunities for staff input during the restructuring process increased morale and reduced resistance.
Organisational Resilience: Strengthened the council’s capacity to adapt to changing demands by building a senior management structure capable of driving transformation.
Efficient Consultation Process: Streamlined response management reduced delays and improved decision-making during the consultation phase.
Rapid Recruitment:Accelerated recruitment timelines for the new corporate leadership structure, minimising disruption to service delivery.
Sustainability: Positioned SBC for long-term success by aligning workforce structures with strategic priorities, improving adaptability and addressing change fatigue.
Modernised HR Capability: The restructure was across the council’s entire senior management cohort. As part of this, we advised on what a modern, fit-for-future HR service would look like, moving it from a traditional HR function to a People & Workforce Transformation directorate.
About Us
Human Engine is a leading management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, transformation, digital, commercial, procurement and projects.
Founded in 2018, we have partnered with more than 50 local authorities, central government, NHS organisations and national charities to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures.
Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives. We do this by blending first-hand, practical experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.