Negotiating Government Podcast

Negotient is the expert adviser in managing negotiations between the public and private sectors; we advise clients in both sectors how to get the best results from their negotiations. This podcast explores the strategies and behind-the-scenes mechanics that shape successful negotiations, and the factors that drive the interests of both sides. Our aim is to help those involved in public sector negotiations understand the challenges they face — and how to overcome them to deliver better results for the public.

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Latest Episode

Strikes Unpacked: UK and US Perspectives on Industrial Action

In this episode of Negotiating Government, Negotient’s Miranda Worthington and Josh Flax dive deep into the world of strikes and industrial action, comparing the UK and US experiences. Drawing on their backgrounds as a former Director of Industrial Relations (UK Department of Health and Social Care) and a US federal mediator, they explore what defines a strike, the legal and cultural differences between public and private sector actions, and the far-reaching impacts on workers, employers, and the public.

Featured on this episode

Joshua Flax
Founding Partner & USA Practice Lead

Miranda Worthington
Associate

Previous Episodes

The View from Inside Government

Why is a public-private negotiation so different from a private-private one? 
In this episode of Negotiating Government, Negotient's Chair, former Cabinet Minister David Gauke, is joined by Negotient Senior Associate Miranda Worthington, former Director of Industrial Relations at the Department for Health and Social Care, to explore the unique challenges and dynamics of negotiating with government. The conversation examines what makes Government a very different counterparty - marked by scale, complexity, intense scrutiny, and ever-evolving objectives.
Listeners will gain practical insights into:
  • How government’s internal silos and shifting priorities shape negotiations.
  • The impact of public scrutiny, media attention, and political pressures on deal-making.
  • The importance of understanding precedent, fiscal constraints, and the culture of the civil service.
  • Strategies for effective negotiation, including anticipating political shifts, building relationships with officials and political teams, and ensuring your own organisation can deliver.
Whether you’re a public or private sector negotiator, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to navigate government negotiations successfully.

Behind the Scenes of the US-UK Trade Deal

What really happens in a high-stakes negotiation between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer? In this episode of Negotiating Government, Chris Brown and Josh Flax from Negotient dissect the tactics behind the recent US-UK trade deal—and what it reveals about power, pressure, and process in public-private negotiations.  From Trump’s signature “create the problem, sell the cure” strategy to Starmer’s bold decision to go first, this episode unpacks in 15 minutes:
  • How to shift baselines and frame concessions as wins
  • The power of anchoring, timing, and narrative control
  • Why understanding your counterpart’s no-deal scenario is everything
  • What negotiators can learn—even from styles they don’t admire
Whether you're negotiating with government now or just fascinated by the art of the deal, this is a masterclass in real-world strategy, analysed by experts who advise on such deals week in, week out.