Russam is thrilled to announce the return of Gary Lawton, an industry leader in interim project, programme, and portfolio management (P3M) at a senior level. With over two decades of experience, Gary has successfully placed high-performing teams across both the private and public sectors, including partnerships that bridge the gap between the two.

Gary’s career has seen him work with firms such as Methods, helping a private sector organisation navigate the complexities of operating within public sector environments. His expertise lies in assembling top-tier interim teams that deliver measurable outcomes for clients across industries.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Gary to learn more about his career, his unique experiences in managing private-to-public sector transitions, and his vision for the future of transformation.

---

What drew you into recruitment for Change and Transformation, and how have your experiences shaped your approach to placing interim P3M teams?

“I’ve always been drawn to large-scale transformation projects where the impact is tangible. Early in my career, I focused on delivering senior-level project, programme, and portfolio management (P3M) teams to the private sector. However, it became clear that many private firms wanted to enter the public sector space, which required specific expertise to navigate the transition. Gary finds this type of work especially rewarding as these projects demand both the agility of the private sector and the strategic focus required in public transformation.”

---

How has your experience outside Russam influenced your approach now that you’ve returned?

“During my time away, I gained valuable insights working with a digital consultancy and a recruit-train-deploy specialist. This gave me a broader understanding of outcome-based delivery and the growing role that interim specialists play in both the private and public sectors. My focus is now on placing senior-level P3M teams that can deliver complex outcomes, whether in partnership with private sector firms entering the public sector or standalone private sector projects.”

---

As an ex-athlete and father, how do your personal experiences influence your work?

“Competing as a GB Team Age Group Ironman Triathlete taught me a lot about discipline, resilience, and pushing past limits. I’ve learned to apply that same mindset to my work. Recruitment can be tough – it’s full of highs and lows, but having the mental toughness from sport helps me stay focused and persistent.”

“Having three kids also keeps me grounded and has taught me the importance of flexibility. Whether I’m balancing family life or adjusting to a changing business landscape, adaptability is key. I find that many of the lessons from sport – like goal setting, teamwork, and empathy – translate well into recruitment.”

---

What are some of the challenges in managing private sector firms entering public sector projects, and how do you address them?

“One of the biggest challenges is understanding the cultural and operational differences. Private sector firms, especially at the senior P3M level, are used to fast-paced, results-driven environments, whereas the public sector often has more layers of governance. By placing interims with experience across both sectors, we bridge that gap and help private firms successfully transition without sacrificing their strengths. My focus is on finding specialists who not only understand both sectors but can also ensure that strategic goals turn into measurable outcomes.”

---

Looking ahead, how do you see the private-public partnership space evolving?

“As more private firms look to enter public sector work, especially in areas like digital transformation and complex programme delivery, the need for senior-level P3M interims will only grow. We’re seeing a trend towards outcome-based delivery, where private sector efficiency drives public sector value. Russam is ideally positioned to support this with our ability to place the right interim specialists to manage these high-stakes, cross-sector projects.”

---

Can you give an example of a project where your innovative approach made a real difference?

“I’m particularly proud of the work I did with the Department for Education (DfE) and FCDO Services. For the DfE, we set up a PPM Resource Tower that drastically reduced onboarding times for project managers. We delivered over 75 resources within a year, cutting lead times down to 48 hours in some cases. With FCDO Services, I led a business change programme that delivered ahead of schedule and within budget, rolling out MS Project Online globally. These kinds of high-impact, outcome-driven projects are exactly why I’m excited to be back at Russam.”

---

Looking Ahead: A Focus on Sustainability and Innovation

Gary also emphasises the growing importance of sustainability, drawing from his work with Defra and the Environment Agency. His commitment to addressing climate change aligns with Russam’s B Corp certification, which reflects their dedication to high standards of social and environmental responsibility.

“Climate change and sustainability are critical issues, especially in the public sector. It’s essential to avoid ‘greenwashing’ and focus on meaningful action. Russam has been at the forefront of this, becoming one of the first interim providers to achieve B Corp certification. This certification, which holds companies to high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, will play a key role in Russam’s continued success in delivering services to the public sector. I’m proud to be part of a company that is truly committed to these principles.”

Gary’s return to Russam marks an exciting chapter in his career, and we look forward to seeing how his experience and passion for innovation will drive success for our clients.

For more information, visit Russam or contact Gary Lawton directly at 07802 407062 / gary.lawton@russam.co.uk or LinkedIn.