Richard Crouch, director of HR & organisational development (OD) and communications at Somerset County Council, has been elected president of the Public Sector People Managers’ Association (PPMA) for 2013/14.

The PPMA also has a new vice president in Louise Tibbert head of HR & OD at Hertfordshire County Council.

Crouch, the organisation’s vice president last year, says: “HR must push to play a bigger role in supporting public service delivery in our communities. This is not so much about HR moving to the so called ‘top table’ but more about it moving towards the ‘business end’ of modern public service.”

The organisation represents over 600 HR and OD professionals in the UK public sector.

Crouch takes over as president from Martin Rayson, divisional director of HR and OD at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.