With the end of 2017 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2018 – and tell us what they cannot do Christmas without.
What are you most proud of achieving in 2017?
The opening of the Queensferry Crossing was a major milestone in 2017. It is a vital boost to Scotland’s transport infrastructure, supports the economy and has been a catalyst for employment and business opportunities. I was one of the lucky 50,000 people to walk the bridge before it opened to traffic.
The Scottish Government had a record number of applications shortlisted for the 2017 Civil Service Awards and I was delighted with our two winning projects – Queensferry Crossing which won the Project Delivery Excellence Award and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation team which won the Use of Evidence Award. But I was also so proud to be at the awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the talented individuals, innovative projects and team spirit within the UK civil service.
What was your most difficult decision in 2017?
Tough decisions go with the permanent secretary territory – and 2017 was no different to other years in that respect. But I am fortunate to have a fabulous team in the Scottish Government and that makes taking difficult decisions a whole lot simpler.
What are your top priorities in the year ahead?
Delivering the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government which sets out ambitious and distinct policy choices for Scotland, including establishing a Scottish National Investment Bank, reforming education to help close the poverty-related attainment gap, making it a national objective to end rough sleeping and to continue building on our social security plans and leading the way on electric vehicles.
We shall continue to exercise, and pave the way for, new powers and responsibilities during 2017. By 2020 50% of Scottish Government income will be from tax raised in Scotland and the Scottish Government will deliver benefits to one in four of the Scottish population for the first time, making more payments in a week than we currently do in a year.
2018 is the Year of Young People in Scotland and I will be the Scottish Government Champion, listening to young people and challenging colleagues across government and beyond to ensure that policy is designed to meet the needs of children and young people, not the system.
For you, no Christmas holiday is complete without...
Christmas cake and mince pies – I love making and eating both!