"There are plenty of positive professional role models in the technology industry, but getting access to them is not easy"
A Spending Review offers a chance to re-examine projects and plans from the last four years – and to lay the groundwork for the next round of schemes. Government project chief Tony Meggs tells Richard Johnstone how the Infrastructure and Projects Authority will use the process to help drive improvement
Elizabeth Gardiner, the first parliamentary counsel, leads the team that writes the UK’s legislation. She tells Suzannah Brecknell what makes a good bill, how departments can help, and what Brexit will mean for those who craft the law of the land
As the use of social impact bonds in public policy increases, so too are efforts to measure the “SIB effect” across a host of services. Mara Airoldi, director of the Government Outcomes Lab at the Blavatnik School of Government, looks at the current state of play of social impact bonds
The NCA’s Nina Cope tells Tamsin Rutter about the agency’s aim to break down barriers, and help cement its reputation at the “pinnacle of law enforcement”
Matthew Rycroft has undertaken some challenging foreign policy roles in government, from helping end the war in Bosnia to facing down Russia in the UN security council. As he settles into his new role as permanent secretary of the Department for International Development he speaks to Richard Johnstone about the need for closer links with other departments, and the importance of showing what’s possible through the international aid budget
The NHS in Scotland is run by one of the country’s most senior and experienced civil servants – closely tying operational and policy management together. Paul Gray tells Richard Johnstone about the benefits of integration, and the need to plan for tomorrow
Simon Stevens played a pivotal role in securing a £20bn funding boost ahead of the 70th birthday of the NHS. With its finances on a more stable footing, the NHS England chief executive wants to use this moment as a springboard to ensure the health services’ long-term future. He talks to Sebastian Whale.
One year into her permanent secretary job, Kelly tells Tamsin Rutter why transport is the best department, about “racy” jobs in deregulation and infrastructure, and why she shed her Brummie accent
The first woman to become a private secretary to the prime minister shares her recollections of Thatcher, the Treasury and the Next Steps Unit with Suzannah Brecknell. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
CSW’s sister title PublicTechnology talks to the head of capability for the civil service’s digital, data and technology profession, Holly Ellis, about how the mantra of ‘do things once’ is being applied to help departments hire and train digital talent
The civil service commercial chief heading up the government’s efforts to improve its procurement and contracting skills tells Richard Johnstone about his goals, and how Whitehall dealt with the collapse of Carillion