'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
It's time to overhaul the role of chief scientific advisers – and the Home Office offers a model to follow
17 Jan 2024 HR
It's time to overhaul the role of chief scientific advisers – and the Home Office offers a model to follow
As a new report considers how government can make better use of scientific advisers, co-authors Charlotte Pickles and Prof Sir John Aston set out key recommendations based on the Home Office's experience
'We're here to make a difference': DWP perm sec Peter Schofield on team working, moments of change and the importance of values
15 Jan 2024 Coronavirus
'We're here to make a difference': DWP perm sec Peter Schofield on team working, moments of change and the importance of values
The Department for Work and Pensions perm sec tells CSW about his civil service career, his connection to DWP’s mission, and a profound turning point in his personal life
Pay, recruitment and line management: Key commitments in the civil service people plan
10 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
Pay, recruitment and line management: Key commitments in the civil service people plan
New workforce strategy also sets out plans for a smaller SCS, more joined up L&D and a new HR functional strategy
London office exodus a 'game-changer' – Cross Government Social Mobility Network chair reflects on 2023
09 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
London office exodus a 'game-changer' – Cross Government Social Mobility Network chair reflects on 2023
Kate Lalor also sets out network's priorities for 2024
‘The year of innovation’: Why 2023 left government chief people officer Fiona Ryland astonished
08 Jan 2024 HR
‘The year of innovation’: Why 2023 left government chief people officer Fiona Ryland astonished
Fiona Ryland says she was astonished by the ingenuity and innovation of colleagues
'There is never a dull day’: Meet the government legal advisers helping to shape legislation
05 Jan 2024 Culture
'There is never a dull day’: Meet the government legal advisers helping to shape legislation
Government lawyers play a key role in developing legislation – they tell us some of the work they have been doing
From AI challenges to the best Christmas biscuits: First civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart's 2023
04 Jan 2024 Civil Service Reform
From AI challenges to the best Christmas biscuits: First civil service commissioner Gisela Stuart's 2023
The commissioner celebrates the swift setting up of the AI summit in reflection on the last year
'I say bah, humbug when I hear people say we can’t change for the better': DE&S chief Andy Start on driving transformation
03 Jan 2024 Security & Defence
'I say bah, humbug when I hear people say we can’t change for the better': DE&S chief Andy Start on driving transformation
The Defence Equipment & Support chief exec reflects on how 2023 has brought about a "different approach to driving change" for the organisation
'We've punched well above our weight': Outgoing Charity Commission chief Helen Stephenson reflects on progress
31 Dec 2023 Leadership
'We've punched well above our weight': Outgoing Charity Commission chief Helen Stephenson reflects on progress
In her 2023 review, her final as Charity Commission chief, Stephenson, says she is "very proud" of the commission's achievements
Meat fraud, genes and imports: FSA head Emily Miles sums up year which led to first Radio 4 Today interview
30 Dec 2023 Energy & Environment
Meat fraud, genes and imports: FSA head Emily Miles sums up year which led to first Radio 4 Today interview
Plus, drinking sherry on Christmas and experimenting on Christmas Day
Finding new ways to connect: Jeff James of the National Archives on reaching out to students
28 Dec 2023
Finding new ways to connect: Jeff James of the National Archives on reaching out to students
The chief executive and keeper of the National Archives looks back at his ten-year stint, which is drawing to a close
Making use of influencers and watching Fulham at home: Comms chief Simon Baugh looks back on 2023
28 Dec 2023 Communications
Making use of influencers and watching Fulham at home: Comms chief Simon Baugh looks back on 2023
The chief executive of the Government Communications Service says when you're sick of saying something, that's the moment people begin to hear it
‘Here’s my card’: The three words that sum up export chief Tim Reid’s year
27 Dec 2023 Commercial
‘Here’s my card’: The three words that sum up export chief Tim Reid’s year
The chief exec of UK Export Finance looks back on the year he took the leap from banking to the civil service
‘An uncomfortable position for a civil servant to be in’: Julie Harrison discusses making decisions in absence of Northern Ireland Executive
22 Dec 2023 Local & Devolved
‘An uncomfortable position for a civil servant to be in’: Julie Harrison discusses making decisions in absence of Northern Ireland Executive
The Northern Ireland Office perm sec, who held a senior position in NICS for most of the year, reflects on the challenges and scrutiny that came with being in charge
'I might even end up refereeing a match': Sir Ian Diamond on a big year for data and the joys of Boxing Day football
22 Dec 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
'I might even end up refereeing a match': Sir Ian Diamond on a big year for data and the joys of Boxing Day football
The National Statistician looks back on the year at ONS and explains why data is this year’s “big thing”
'Laser sharp prioritisation is required': Projects authority chief Nick Smallwood sets sights on improved delivery
21 Dec 2023 Project Delivery
'Laser sharp prioritisation is required': Projects authority chief Nick Smallwood sets sights on improved delivery
Infrastructure and Projects Authority chief Nick Smallwood reflects on big year for Government Major Projects Portfolio, considers 2024 priorities and picks favourite Christmas treat
Becoming a national GLD and pay negotiations: Susanna McGibbon on the successes and trials of 2023
21 Dec 2023 HR
Becoming a national GLD and pay negotiations: Susanna McGibbon on the successes and trials of 2023
The Treasury solicitor and Government Legal Department perm sec looks back on 2023
‘Inaction – as well as action – has costs’: James Heath on the NIC’s message to policymakers
20 Dec 2023 Property & Estates
‘Inaction – as well as action – has costs’: James Heath on the NIC’s message to policymakers
Faster decisions and ambitious goals are what the country needs, the chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission says
‘We’re a people organisation’: DWP’s Peter Schofield on supporting customers and encouraging his teenagers to revise
20 Dec 2023 Operational Delivery
‘We’re a people organisation’: DWP’s Peter Schofield on supporting customers and encouraging his teenagers to revise
The Department for Work and Pensions perm sec sets out his priorities for 2024
Migrating millions to OneLogin, exploring AI and Christmas films: GDS chief Tom Read’s 2024 priorities and festive plans
19 Dec 2023 Digital, Data & Technology
Migrating millions to OneLogin, exploring AI and Christmas films: GDS chief Tom Read’s 2024 priorities and festive plans
The Government Digital Service CEO reflects on 2023, sets out aims for 2024 and ponders whether his son is old enough to watch Die Hard
New joiners and King Charles’ coronation: Prison service CEO Amy Rees looks back at the highlights of a busy year
19 Dec 2023 Justice & Home Affairs
New joiners and King Charles’ coronation: Prison service CEO Amy Rees looks back at the highlights of a busy year
The head of HMPPS reflects on the hope and glory brought to 2023 by the country’s prison staff, if not by the Welsh rugby team
‘Five years left to fully realise my ambition’: NAO head Gareth Davies on plans for the rest of his term and Christmas faves
19 Dec 2023 Analysis
‘Five years left to fully realise my ambition’: NAO head Gareth Davies on plans for the rest of his term and Christmas faves
The head of the National Audit Office discusses what still needs to be done in the coming years
Going digital and taking the stairs: DVLA’s Julie Lennard on a year of achievements and plans
18 Dec 2023 Transport
Going digital and taking the stairs: DVLA’s Julie Lennard on a year of achievements and plans
The chief executive of DVLA looks back on a productive 12 months at the drivers' agency
'Never been bored': DfE’s Susan Acland-Hood on a year of filled with childcare plans, strikes and RAAC
18 Dec 2023 Education
'Never been bored': DfE’s Susan Acland-Hood on a year of filled with childcare plans, strikes and RAAC
The Department for Education perm sec looks back at a year of big projects – and reveals her mince pie secret