Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the roles of public–private partnership (PPP) leaders and the vital skills and competencies that PPP leaders should possess to ensure the success of PPP projects in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted an exploratory qualitative research design using an in-depth interview technique. Ten informants who were involved in the PPP projects from the public and the private sectors participated in this study. Data gathered from the in-depth interview were analysed using the constant comparative method. Findings The findings of this study show that among the main roles of PPP leaders are building a collaborative culture, leading and influencing the partnership process by developing trust and encouraging commitment and fairness. Key competencies were sensitivity of the cross-cultural issues between the public and the private sector, communication and PPP technical skills. Practical implications This paper outlines key competencies for the training and selection of PPP leaders and team members. Originality/value This paper enriches the existing body of knowledge on Malaysia’s PPP with regard to PPP leadership roles and their competencies.

Purpose This study aims to test a public–private partnership (PPP) success model by examining the direct effects of two input factors (facilitative leadership and communication quality) on an outcome factor, namely, PPP success (PPP project success and PPP relational success), as well as the mediating effect of trust as a process factor on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach The present research uses the sociotechnical systems theory as the guiding framework. This is a quantitative study that uses a questionnaire survey and purposive sampling. The respondents comprise 266 public and private sector employees who have been involved in various PPP projects. The data gathered from the survey are analysed using SPSS and structural equation modelling (AMOS version 23.0). Findings The findings of this study indicate that facilitative leadership, communication quality and trust are positively correlated with PPP success, that is, PPP relational and PPP project success. Trust is found to mediate the relationship between facilitative leadership and communication quality with PPP success. Practical implications This paper upholds the importance of facilitative leadership, communication quality and trust in a PPP setting. Originality/value This study enriches the knowledge of PPP projects regarding facilitative leadership, communication quality and trust. It also discusses the vital role of these variables in ensuring PPP success.