'I felt like the boy in short trousers': What’s it like to manage people who are decades older than you?
30 Mar HR

'I felt like the boy in short trousers': What’s it like to manage people who are decades older than you?

Taking on challenging leadership roles can be a quick progression route for younger civil servants, but the experience is not always easy. CSW gets the lowdown from officials who’ve been through it
by Susan Allott
AI curiosity and climate change: What a global survey of public officials tells us about 2026’s big issues
11 May Digital, Data & Technology
AI curiosity and climate change: What a global survey of public officials tells us about 2026’s big issues
Director's Cut: Michael Padfield on flexibility, the Horizon scandal and confusing journalists
08 May HR
Director's Cut: Michael Padfield on flexibility, the Horizon scandal and confusing journalists
Director's Cut: Elisabeth Cuthbertson and Lucy Ryan on job-sharing, agility and the importance of trust
27 Apr HR
Director's Cut: Elisabeth Cuthbertson and Lucy Ryan on job-sharing, agility and the importance of trust
The Wizard from Oz: Dan Labbad on leading the Crown Estate
18 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
The Wizard from Oz: Dan Labbad on leading the Crown Estate
The Crown Estate is one of the UK’s oldest institutions and contributes hundreds of millions of pounds a year to the national coffers. Its Australian chief executive Dan Labbad talks about running this unique organisation – and why his daughter is his inspiration
Defra’s experience shows the problems in making Brexit work
14 Mar 2024 Energy & Environment
Defra’s experience shows the problems in making Brexit work
The department is struggling to make sense of its post-Brexit responsibilities and freedoms
From tackling churn to prioritisation: the power of using operational research skills in everyday decision-making
14 Mar 2024 HR
From tackling churn to prioritisation: the power of using operational research skills in everyday decision-making
Putting operational research into practice in all aspects of life can have a big impact - DfT official Robyn Smith shares how
VIDEO: HMRC's counter fraud chief Richard Las on the changing nature of economic crime
13 Mar 2024 Economy
VIDEO: HMRC's counter fraud chief Richard Las on the changing nature of economic crime
To mark the launch of CSW's Counter Fraud Zone, we speak exclusively to Richard Las, director of HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service
Can government change its culture of short-termism? Bernard Jenkin on barriers to strategic thinking and promising signs
12 Mar 2024
Can government change its culture of short-termism? Bernard Jenkin on barriers to strategic thinking and promising signs
Sir Bernard Jenkin speaks to Suzannah Brecknell about how governments can, and must, up their game when it comes to strategic thinking
David Halpern on the Budget: Could evidence-based policy be key to improving public sector productivity?
12 Mar 2024 Civil Service Reform
David Halpern on the Budget: Could evidence-based policy be key to improving public sector productivity?
The path to improving public sector productivity is not a quick fix but it can be done
'Very worrying': Interest in the Civil Service Fast Stream plummets Exclusive
12 Mar 2024 HR
'Very worrying': Interest in the Civil Service Fast Stream plummets
As Civil Service Fast Stream applications fall dramatically for a second year, experts weigh in on the "worrying" trend
'The civil service is now a place where women can progress': CSW speaks to female senior officials working outside London
08 Mar 2024 Civil Service Reform
'The civil service is now a place where women can progress': CSW speaks to female senior officials working outside London
For International Women's Day, CSW talks to female civil servants about the improvements they have seen in gender equality in the civil service, where progress is still needed and how Places for Growth has helped
'We don’t have to do things the same way other organisations have done them': Building the UK Infrastructure Bank
29 Feb 2024 Finance
'We don’t have to do things the same way other organisations have done them': Building the UK Infrastructure Bank
The Treasury-backed UKIB, launched in 2021, aims to advance both net-zero and levelling up ambitions. Here, some of its leaders talk about the challenge of doing something new and blending the best of the public and private sectors
Many digital transformation strategies cover similar ground. It’s the implementation that's the hard part
28 Feb 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
Many digital transformation strategies cover similar ground. It’s the implementation that's the hard part
As the NAO publishes its new guide to digital transformation in government, its director, digital insights shares some of the questions it poses for senior leaders
Don’t start with a solution in mind: What I learnt as a government strategist
22 Feb 2024 Communications
Don’t start with a solution in mind: What I learnt as a government strategist
A former strategist explains why research, relationships and a knack for knowing what people really want are key to a successful communications career
Book review: Be a Better Boss – don’t be put off by the initial biographical details
15 Feb 2024 Leadership
Book review: Be a Better Boss – don’t be put off by the initial biographical details
This overview of a progressive corporate culture offers some interesting lessons for those leading public sector organisations too, writes Sir Bernard Jenkin
Mind of your own: How can departments help neurodivergent staff thrive?
14 Feb 2024 HR
Mind of your own: How can departments help neurodivergent staff thrive?
How can the civil service set up the conditions in which neurodivergent staff can flourish, and deliver their best for citizens? Tim Gibson seeks expert insight
We need a constitutional reset but a pick 'n' mix of ideas is not the answer
12 Feb 2024 Civil Service Reform
We need a constitutional reset but a pick 'n' mix of ideas is not the answer
With a cast of heavy-hitters, the UK Governance Project has some good ideas, says Dave Penman, but forget a Royal Commission: ministers need practical suggestions if we are to make real change
Does the civil service really have a growing problem with long-term sickness?
12 Feb 2024 HR
Does the civil service really have a growing problem with long-term sickness?
Some departments are making progress, but the annual number of days lost is up by 23.6% over eight years
‘If you're not a bit anxious at that point, something's wrong’: Perm secs on setting up DSIT, DBT and DESNZ
07 Feb 2024 Civil Service Reform
‘If you're not a bit anxious at that point, something's wrong’: Perm secs on setting up DSIT, DBT and DESNZ
A year on from the MOG changes that shocked us all, the three departments' perm secs reflect and share their priorities for the year ahead
The power of cross-sector collaboration: WIG’s Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann speaks to CSW
06 Feb 2024 HR
The power of cross-sector collaboration: WIG’s Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann speaks to CSW
The chief executive of the Whitehall and Industry Group discusses partnerships between the civil service, industry and civil society, and the importance of having diverse role models
‘There’s never been a golden age of standards’: Lord Evans on chairing CSPL
05 Feb 2024 HR
‘There’s never been a golden age of standards’: Lord Evans on chairing CSPL
After five years chairing the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Lord Evans reflects on the challenges of fostering ethical integrity in government
Covid Inquiry: WhatsApp confusion, pandemic politicking and sidelining the secretary of state
02 Feb 2024 Coronavirus
Covid Inquiry: WhatsApp confusion, pandemic politicking and sidelining the secretary of state
Nicola Sturgeon insists decision-making records have not been lost as ministers accuse former SNP leader of trying to score points against Westminster
Pay talks, hybrid working and strikes: PCS’s new general secretary Fran Heathcote sets out her stall Exclusive
01 Feb 2024 Civil Service Reform
Pay talks, hybrid working and strikes: PCS’s new general secretary Fran Heathcote sets out her stall
The union’s first ever female chief discusses following in the footsteps of Mark Serwotka, her immediate priorities, and why strikes could soon be back on the agenda
Missing in action: WhatsApps dominate Covid Inquiry hearings in Scotland
26 Jan 2024 Coronavirus
Missing in action: WhatsApps dominate Covid Inquiry hearings in Scotland
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s scathing comments about Boris Johnson surface despite failure to save her own messages
'We've lost the art of prioritisation' - what public sector leaders think about the state of the State
24 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
'We've lost the art of prioritisation' - what public sector leaders think about the state of the State
As exclusive polling shows the public think there's an urgent need for reform in public services - but have little hope it will happen - what do public service leaders think about the state of the State? The anwer might suprise you
Perm secs round-up 2023: Looking back to look forward
22 Jan 2024 Leadership
Perm secs round-up 2023: Looking back to look forward
CSW’s perm secs round-up for 2023 provided yet another vintage year of insight from departmental leaders. Tevye Markson unwraps some takeaways
Read the winter 2024 issue of Civil Service World
22 Jan 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
Read the winter 2024 issue of Civil Service World
Exclusive interviews with DWP perm sec Peter Schofield and CSPL chair Lord Evans, plus how to help neurodivergent staff thrive