Partnerships and funding for sustainability and performance

GGI’s latest monthly webinar was called Partnerships and Funding for Sustainability and Performance. Our guest speakers for the session were Steve Rubery, CEO of the Partnership of East London Co-operatives (PELC); Rachel Peacock, CEO of Making Space; and our own CEO Andrew Corbett-Nolan. The chair was principal consultant Aidan Rave.

The discussion centred on the growing financial pressures facing organisations across the healthcare and social care sectors. Aidan opened by highlighting the increasing demand for innovative funding models and collaborative approaches to address systemic challenges.

Steve Rubery shared his perspective on the necessity of strong partnerships in integrated care systems. He emphasised that sustainability is not just about financial viability but also about creating resilient structures that can withstand external pressures. He described how PELC successfully navigated its own funding emergency through a strategic and collaborative conversation with the North East London integrated care board – a story he shared with us last week.

Rachel Peacock provided insights from the social care sector, discussing the importance of aligning financial strategies with service-user needs. She underscored that partnerships should not be seen merely as cost-saving measures but as mechanisms for improving outcomes. She highlighted three examples where honest conversations and responsive and collaborative working helped to smooth out some ‘bumpy’ partnerships.

Andrew Corbett-Nolan brought a governance perspective, stressing that effective partnerships require robust oversight and clear accountability. He noted that while partnerships can unlock new funding streams, they must be underpinned by strong governance frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability and performance.

During the Q&A session, several key points were raised about the practical challenges of forming and sustaining partnerships. Issues such as balancing financial constraints with service innovation, ensuring equitable contributions from all partners, and navigating complex regulatory environments were discussed. There was also a focus on how organisations can build trust and transparency within partnerships to foster long-term success.

The webinar concluded with a call to action for organisations to rethink their approach to partnerships, ensuring they are built on shared values, strategic alignment, and effective governance. The discussion reinforced that in times of financial constraint, collaboration is not just beneficial—it is essential.