National Infrastructure Commission chief on joining during lockdown: ‘I look forward to being able to hold an all staff meeting in person’
11 Jan Project Delivery

National Infrastructure Commission chief on joining during lockdown: ‘I look forward to being able to hold an all staff meeting in person’

2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
by Civil Service World
'The scientific community came together to innovate’: how one BEIS-backed institute responded to Covid
15 Jan Coronavirus
'The scientific community came together to innovate’: how one BEIS-backed institute responded to Covid
Dave Penman: There’s huge demand from civil servants for greater flexible working. Departments should help make it happen
12 Jan HR
Dave Penman: There’s huge demand from civil servants for greater flexible working. Departments should help make it happen
'This year has been a tremendous reminder of the importance of the union': civil service COO Alex Chisholm reflects on 2020
04 Jan
'This year has been a tremendous reminder of the importance of the union': civil service COO Alex Chisholm reflects on 2020
‘EU exit is going to put us right into the spotlight’: Food Standards Agency chief Emily Miles looks ahead
23 Dec 2020
‘EU exit is going to put us right into the spotlight’: Food Standards Agency chief Emily Miles looks ahead
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘I am proud of the way the Government Communication Service has come together under difficult circumstances to deliver exemplary public communication’: Government comms chief Alex Aiken on 2020
23 Dec 2020 Communications
‘I am proud of the way the Government Communication Service has come together under difficult circumstances to deliver exemplary public communication’: Government comms chief Alex Aiken on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘There was exceptional teamwork and rigour’: Head of the government finance function Cat Little reflects on her first Spending Review in 2020
23 Dec 2020 Finance
‘There was exceptional teamwork and rigour’: Head of the government finance function Cat Little reflects on her first Spending Review in 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Net zero, a new supercomputer, COP26 and a Met Office restructure: Prof Penelope Endersby looks ahead to 2021
22 Dec 2020
Net zero, a new supercomputer, COP26 and a Met Office restructure: Prof Penelope Endersby looks ahead to 2021
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
DVLA chief Julie Lennard on keeping NHS staff on the roads, and why digital has been so important to their Covid response
22 Dec 2020
DVLA chief Julie Lennard on keeping NHS staff on the roads, and why digital has been so important to their Covid response
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Charities’ work saves, sustains and enriches life in countless ways’: Charity Commission’s Helen Stephenson on sector’s Covid response
22 Dec 2020
‘Charities’ work saves, sustains and enriches life in countless ways’: Charity Commission’s Helen Stephenson on sector’s Covid response
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
357m vaccine doses, £65bn in loans, nine industry guides and more: Sarah Munby reflects on 'a busy year' for BEIS
22 Dec 2020
357m vaccine doses, £65bn in loans, nine industry guides and more: Sarah Munby reflects on 'a busy year' for BEIS
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘The pandemic has highlighted the importance of public information’: National Archives keeper Jeff James on the Covid response
22 Dec 2020
‘The pandemic has highlighted the importance of public information’: National Archives keeper Jeff James on the Covid response
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘We have balanced the urgent response to the pandemic with the legal requirements that underpin civil service appointments’: Civil Service Commission chief Pete Lawrence on 2020
22 Dec 2020
‘We have balanced the urgent response to the pandemic with the legal requirements that underpin civil service appointments’: Civil Service Commission chief Pete Lawrence on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'2020 was truly a tipping point for HS2': DfT perm sec Bernadette Kelly on a year of getting 'shovels in the ground', and frustrating media battles
22 Dec 2020
'2020 was truly a tipping point for HS2': DfT perm sec Bernadette Kelly on a year of getting 'shovels in the ground', and frustrating media battles
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘The most isolated people who don’t have LGBT+ support around them are the ones that need support the most’: Kate Hughes, chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network, on 2020
22 Dec 2020
‘The most isolated people who don’t have LGBT+ support around them are the ones that need support the most’: Kate Hughes, chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network, on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘The whole of society needs a break this Christmas’: Environment Agency’s Emma Howard Boyd on 2020
22 Dec 2020
‘The whole of society needs a break this Christmas’: Environment Agency’s Emma Howard Boyd on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'At times like this people want to feel a sense of belonging': Welsh Government perm sec Dame Shan Morgan on 2020
22 Dec 2020
'At times like this people want to feel a sense of belonging': Welsh Government perm sec Dame Shan Morgan on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Our work this year has been the culmination of four years of building a global department’: Department for International Trade perm sec Antonia Romeo on 2020
22 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘Our work this year has been the culmination of four years of building a global department’: Department for International Trade perm sec Antonia Romeo on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘The complexity of the problem is the thing that first hit me’: cabinet secretary Simon Case on Covid, his return to No.10, and working with Dominic Cummings Exclusive
21 Dec 2020 Civil Service Reform
‘The complexity of the problem is the thing that first hit me’: cabinet secretary Simon Case on Covid, his return to No.10, and working with Dominic Cummings
After two years at the royal household, Simon Case returned to government this summer to head up its coronavirus response. Now cabinet secretary, he tells Beckie Smith and Richard Johnstone what it’s been like steering the civil service through a pandemic
'Brexit means most of my Zoom calls will be for business rather than festive fun': HMRC chief Jim Harra reflects on 2020
18 Dec 2020
'Brexit means most of my Zoom calls will be for business rather than festive fun': HMRC chief Jim Harra reflects on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘It is important that leaders are visible, approachable, and prioritise the wellbeing of their colleagues’: Defra perm sec Tamara Finkelstein's 2020 leadership lessons
18 Dec 2020
‘It is important that leaders are visible, approachable, and prioritise the wellbeing of their colleagues’: Defra perm sec Tamara Finkelstein's 2020 leadership lessons
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘I will use the hours usually lost on the motorways to pause, reflect and refresh’: National statistician Prof Sir Ian Diamond's festive plans
18 Dec 2020
‘I will use the hours usually lost on the motorways to pause, reflect and refresh’: National statistician Prof Sir Ian Diamond's festive plans
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Seeing colleagues step up at a time of such uncertainty made me very proud’: GDS DG Fiona Deans on 2020
18 Dec 2020
‘Seeing colleagues step up at a time of such uncertainty made me very proud’: GDS DG Fiona Deans on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
'This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House's Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House's Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
18 Dec 2020 Civil Service Reform
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
As 2021 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2020, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘I've found it really hard not to be able to see people face to face’: DCMS perm sec Sarah Healey on working through Covid
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘I've found it really hard not to be able to see people face to face’: DCMS perm sec Sarah Healey on working through Covid
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021