1. Public Governance Code for Chief Executive Excellence

2. Agenda The public sector in Denmark The starting point The Code
The process
Lessons
The future

3. Distribution of public sector functions today
Local authorities 45%
The State 28%
Counties (regions) 27%

4. Outline of the Danish structural reform
The number of local authorities will be reduced from 271 to 98 – 13 counties will be reduced to 5 regions
Local authorities and the state will take over tasks from counties
Regions will not have the right to levy taxes
Fragile majority in Parliament behind reform

5. Future distribution of public sector functions
Local authorities 49%
The State 32%
Regions 19%

6. Forum for Top Executive Management
Our starting point
Good leadership makes a difference
Huge current and future challenges
Public governance is different from corporate governance
But how … !?

7. Ambitions of the Forum
To provide a framework for a debate on top executive leadership.
To create a common understanding of the challenges, the functions, and the roles of top executives.
And thus …
To develop a code for Public Governance – a holistic set of recommendations that would apply to the most important tasks of chief executives.

8. Fundamental traits - emerging challenges
Tandem management
Complex bottom line
Openness and transparency
Emerging challenges
An expanded management universe
Openness is not enough
Multiple competing management principles

19. Self-evaluation method
3 phases
The full code – a first sounding
My chief executive role and management style
My chief executive role in the future

20. The Forum Process Opening Conference – Sept. 2003 Three Theme Panels
Three Research Teams
Three E-surveys
Workshop Conference – Feb. 2004
Midpoint Conference – Aug 2004
Code Seminars
Camp Code (I & II)
International Seminars
Conference – May 2005

21. Forum for Top Executive Management
Lessons
Common need to discuss conditions and challenges among chief executives
Chief executives across the public sector have a lot in common – fruitful to work cross sector
Fruitful cooperation between chief executives and academics
Challenge to keep the focus on the chief executive as an individual

22. The next milestones
Proceed from a development phase to an action phase
Three approaches:
A cross sector approach
An organisational approach
An individual approach
The presentation of the code took place on May 10th this year.
The Danish Prime Minister among the speakers.
The expectations are high – it stresses the necessity of our commitment.
The next milestone will be to make sure that the code has an effect and that it makes a difference in every day leadership.
Three approaches:
(Cross sector): The Forum board will continue for another year to support the chief executives in keeping focus on their challenges, roles, tasks and competences. Ministry of Finance, Danish Regions and Local Government Denmark will support the implementation of the code at there respective government levels.
(Organisational): Debate and implementation in each public organisation / continual development of leadership skills and performance
(Individual / each top executive): How do I keep my focus on the Code – how do I keep myself committed – what are my weak and strong aspects of my leadership
The Forum Board
The Board will continue for another year to support and stimulate the process.

23. Code implementation
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4

24. Board
Secretariat
Research team
Research team
Research team
Panel
Panel
panel