Strategic Transformation Programme
Client Context
Northumberland County Council embarked on a strategic, council-wide change programme to identify £20m per year of savings while radically rethinking the delivery of local public services in support of its core objective to reduce inequality across the county. Having already delivered significant savings through efficiencies and incremental budget reductions, the council recognised the need to move beyond incremental change towards large-scale, whole-system transformation to respond to increasing demand, higher customer expectations and reduced funding. Human Engine worked with the council to design a programme structure capable of identifying council-wide transformational opportunities, operating as a blended programme team with the council’s Transformation Team and service areas across the organisation.
Our Approach
A discovery diagnostic was undertaken over four months, including:
Extensive data gathering, analysis and benchmarking.
Process mapping to identify duplication, inefficiencies and failure points.
Detailed demand analysis to understand pressure points and avoidable demand.
Comprehensive stakeholder engagement with staff, Elected Members, residents and partners.
Analysis of customer feedback, including customer service call listening.
Identification of duplication/inefficiencies in back-office services/corporate processes.
Design of operating models/ways of working across frontline and corporate services.
Service Directors were appointed as Senior Responsible Officers for each workstream, ensuring organisational ownership, leadership accountability and buy-in to proposals throughout the programme.
Outputs and Outcomes
The discovery diagnostic produced a business case for strategic change, identifying opportunities to deliver up to £38m in annual savings, supported by a structured programme model for delivery, including:
Best Value for Money: Up to £8m in savings through demand management and a shift towards community-based service delivery.
Best in Class Commissioning: Up to £21m in savings through a more strategic approach to commissioning, procurement, category management and commercial negotiations, supported by detailed pilot analysis.
Best Service to Customers: £4.65m in savings through customer access redesign, digital enablement and upstream demand management.
Best Use of Resources: £3.35m in savings through new corporate operating models, reduced bureaucracy and improved internal demand management.
Best Use of Technology: Up to £1m per year through development of a ‘digital service engine’ and replacement of legacy systems with low-code alternatives.
Best Talent and Opportunities: Workforce transformation through a new workforce blueprint, reducing over 1,000 job descriptions to 150 fit-for-purpose role profiles with clearer career pathways.
This programme created a structured, whole-system transformation model, providing Northumberland with a coherent framework for long-term financial sustainability, service reform and organisational modernisation.
Client Feedback
“Thank you so much to all the team for your work and support over the project. We couldn’t have gotten to this point without you. It was a pleasure working with you.”
Director of Improvement and Innovation
Northumberland County Council
“Thank you for all your support over the past 6 months. We couldn’t have got to this point without you.”
Executive Director of Resources and Transformation (S151)
Northumberland County Council
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.