From Coffee and Curiosity to Career: How the Insights Festival Shaped My Path

Dean Edmunds

Operational Assurance Manager,

HMPPS Performance and Assurance Group

I’ve always been fascinated by the how and why behind what we do as an organisation. Perhaps less about what, and more about the purpose, the process, and the people driving change. So, it’s no surprise that when I first stumbled across the concept of custodial assurance and the work of what was then the Operational System Assurance Group (OSAG), something clicked. I was instantly drawn in, even though my day-to-day front line prison role didn’t directly involve it.

Around that time, I spotted something on the intranet that caught my eye – Insights22 Festival. I was hopeful there might be something in the line-up that connected to my budding interest in performance and assurance. I explored the events catalogue, and one opportunity jumped out – a VIP event offering coffee and cake with the Head of Custodial Assurance at HMPPS. I entered the ballot, not expecting anything to come of it (I rarely win anything—not even the tin of biscuits at the church Christmas raffle!) So, imagine my surprise when I got the email saying I’d won a place! Initially, the meeting was to take place over Teams (as my host was based in Cardiff, and I was working in Kent.) But by a stroke of luck, I happened to be in Cardiff at the time of the meeting. So, instead of a virtual chat, we met in person at the local Costa.

That conversation was a turning point. We discussed insights on assurance, leadership, and the importance of scrutiny and attention to detail in delivering a world class service. I left that coffee shop knowing that this was the direction I wanted to take my career in. At the time, I was fully committed to a programme designed to develop future prison Heads of Function, so I stayed focused on that path, but still with everything I’d heard in mind. Fast forward to 2025. With my other programme complete, I was scrolling through the intranet, where I saw a job advert for a Custodial Assurance Manager in the new Performance, Risk and Assurance Group. The timing was finally right. I applied, and I’m proud to say I was successful.

On reflection, it’s clear that the Insights Festival was a defining moment in my journey. It provided a rare chance to step outside my usual remit and explore other areas within HMPPS and the MoJ. It connected me with like-minded and experienced individuals, opened up new links, and gave me both the clarity of purpose and confidence to shape my own path.

So, if you’re ever uncertain about whether to take a chance on attending something at the Insights Festival – whether it’s a VIP event ballot, a workshop, or “a day in the life of” event —do it! You never know where a simple cup of coffee might lead you.

You can be part of the Insights25 Festival

The application window to host your own events is open till 11^th July! Visit the website festival page to find out more.

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