Perm secs round-up 2021: top officials say goodbye to a tumultuous year and look ahead to 2022
31 Dec 2021 Leadership

Perm secs round-up 2021: top officials say goodbye to a tumultuous year and look ahead to 2022

Government leaders share the highs and lows of 2021 and set out their priorities for next year in CSW's annual round up
by Civil Service World
London in the rear view mirror: we need to get the basics right when relocating civil servants
25 Jan Civil Service Reform
London in the rear view mirror: we need to get the basics right when relocating civil servants
Read the January 2022 issue of Civil Service World
24 Jan Civil Service Reform
Read the January 2022 issue of Civil Service World
All the major Covid backlogs government must 'get a grip' of in 2022
04 Jan Coronavirus
All the major Covid backlogs government must 'get a grip' of in 2022
25 Jan HR
WATCH: CSW chats to John Peart about a Civil Service Award-winning LGBT+ mentoring scheme
The chair of the LGBT+ Network describes the genesis and execution of a programme with inclusion at its heart
‘We are absolutely determined to get it right’: Max Hill on one of the CPS's biggest challenges
03 Jan Justice & Home Affairs
‘We are absolutely determined to get it right’: Max Hill on one of the CPS's biggest challenges
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The director of public prosecutions tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Breaking records and battling for better water quality – Environment Agency's Emma Howard Boyd reflects on 2021
03 Jan Energy & Environment
Breaking records and battling for better water quality – Environment Agency's Emma Howard Boyd reflects on 2021
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The EA chair tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'The last couple of years have had a science fiction feel': Gareth Davies on the NAO's Covid scrutiny and trials of remote work
03 Jan Coronavirus
'The last couple of years have had a science fiction feel': Gareth Davies on the NAO's Covid scrutiny and trials of remote work
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The National Audit Office boss tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
‘Huge honour’: Susanna McGibbon reflects on her first year as GLD chief
31 Dec 2021 Leadership
‘Huge honour’: Susanna McGibbon reflects on her first year as GLD chief
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The GLD perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'Grit, resilience and a fantastic team': Madeleine Alessandri shares how the NIO powered through 2021
31 Dec 2021 Leadership
'Grit, resilience and a fantastic team': Madeleine Alessandri shares how the NIO powered through 2021
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Northern Ireland Office head tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
How tech defined the biggest stories of 2021
31 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
How tech defined the biggest stories of 2021
Digital and data once again had a starring role in supporting – and, occasionally, hampering – the government’s work this year. Sam Trendall looks back
Gareth Rhys Williams on 2021's toughest trials: 'maintaining morale (and gallows humour) in the face of scrutiny'
31 Dec 2021 Commercial
Gareth Rhys Williams on 2021's toughest trials: 'maintaining morale (and gallows humour) in the face of scrutiny'
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. Government's chief commercial officer tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'I don’t want to lose what we’ve gained from our new ways of working': LGBT+ Network chair John Peart reflects
30 Dec 2021 Culture
'I don’t want to lose what we’ve gained from our new ways of working': LGBT+ Network chair John Peart reflects
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Civil Service LGBT+ Network chair tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
‘Thriving in the face of unprecedented challenges’: National Archives chief Jeff James on an ‘encouraging’ year
30 Dec 2021 Security & Defence
‘Thriving in the face of unprecedented challenges’: National Archives chief Jeff James on an ‘encouraging’ year
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The National Archives Office chief exec and keeper tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
'Our biggest challenge has been returning to the office and the hybrid approach' – Disability Network's Sue Reeves on another pandemic year
30 Dec 2021 Leadership
'Our biggest challenge has been returning to the office and the hybrid approach' – Disability Network's Sue Reeves on another pandemic year
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The CSDN chair tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
DE&S chief Simon Bollom praises ‘brilliant’ team – and hits back at negative publicity about major project costs
29 Dec 2021 Security & Defence
DE&S chief Simon Bollom praises ‘brilliant’ team – and hits back at negative publicity about major project costs
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The defence equipment chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
Green savings bonds, going digital and a new business model: Ian Ackerley on NS&I's year of change
29 Dec 2021 Finance
Green savings bonds, going digital and a new business model: Ian Ackerley on NS&I's year of change
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The savings bank chief tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
Jim Harra: ‘Balancing HMRC’s priorities in 2021 felt like a high wire act’
29 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
Jim Harra: ‘Balancing HMRC’s priorities in 2021 felt like a high wire act’
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The HMRC chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
Covid, post-EU checks and 'high-profile food incidents' – Emily Miles on how the FSA handled a ‘tough' 2021
29 Dec 2021 Brexit
Covid, post-EU checks and 'high-profile food incidents' – Emily Miles on how the FSA handled a ‘tough' 2021
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Food Standards chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
‘The pressure has not let up’: Tom Read on leading GDS with honesty and empathy
28 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
‘The pressure has not let up’: Tom Read on leading GDS with honesty and empathy
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Government Digital Service chief tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
A family reunion in Spain and a Spending Review – Treasury public spending chief Cat Little’s 2021 highlights
28 Dec 2021 Finance
A family reunion in Spain and a Spending Review – Treasury public spending chief Cat Little’s 2021 highlights
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Treasury's director general of public spending tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'Reforms will impact every aspect of our operation’ – Louise Smyth on Companies House's top priority
28 Dec 2021 Leadership
'Reforms will impact every aspect of our operation’ – Louise Smyth on Companies House's top priority
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
Speeding up inspections and getting children back on track – Amanda Spielman outlines Ofsted's plans
27 Dec 2021 Education
Speeding up inspections and getting children back on track – Amanda Spielman outlines Ofsted's plans
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. Ofsted's chief inspector tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'We want to do more storytelling and advocacy to demystify civil service roles': Social Mobility Network looks ahead
27 Dec 2021 Civil Service Reform
'We want to do more storytelling and advocacy to demystify civil service roles': Social Mobility Network looks ahead
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. Anne-Marie Blackburn, James Lambert and Laura Blair tell us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Douglas Wilson: How did AGO staff tackle the challenges of 2021? Strong coffee and a smile
27 Dec 2021 Leadership
Douglas Wilson: How did AGO staff tackle the challenges of 2021? Strong coffee and a smile
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Attorney General's Office DG tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'Our aim is to be more expert, engaged and collaborative': Joanna Davinson on setting up CDDO
24 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
'Our aim is to be more expert, engaged and collaborative': Joanna Davinson on setting up CDDO
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Central Digital and Data Office's executive director tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'Our interventions saved millions of jobs': Charles Roxburgh shares the Treasury's 2021 highlights
24 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
'Our interventions saved millions of jobs': Charles Roxburgh shares the Treasury's 2021 highlights
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. HMT's second perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'I fear Caravaggio would be disruptive': Jo Saxton shares her dream NYE guest list, and reflects on her first months as Ofqual chief
24 Dec 2021 Education
'I fear Caravaggio would be disruptive': Jo Saxton shares her dream NYE guest list, and reflects on her first months as Ofqual chief
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The exams regulator tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges