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
‘Whatever the issue, we are there to help’: Civil Service Race Forum offers support for the year ahead
23 Dec 2021 HR
‘Whatever the issue, we are there to help’: Civil Service Race Forum offers support for the year ahead
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. Civil Service Race Forum co-chairs Sharon Lo and Justin Placide tell us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Matthew Rycroft on getting the Home Office ready for ‘whatever 2022 throws at the civil service’
23 Dec 2021 Justice & Home Affairs
Matthew Rycroft on getting the Home Office ready for ‘whatever 2022 throws at the civil service’
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Home Office chief tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid as well as new challenges
‘We invested heavily in extensive safety measures’: DVLA’s Julie Lennard on a year of adaptation and innovation
23 Dec 2021 Leadership
‘We invested heavily in extensive safety measures’: DVLA’s Julie Lennard on a year of adaptation and innovation
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency chief executive officer tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new services
‘We are one step closer to our mission of restoring and enhancing the environment’: Defra’s Tamara Finkelstein on a momentous year
22 Dec 2021 Energy & Environment
‘We are one step closer to our mission of restoring and enhancing the environment’: Defra’s Tamara Finkelstein on a momentous 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 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
‘Awarding qualifications fairly without exams isn’t straightforward’: DfE's Susan Acland-Hood reflects on a testing year
22 Dec 2021 Education
‘Awarding qualifications fairly without exams isn’t straightforward’: DfE's Susan Acland-Hood reflects on a testing 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 education perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'Helping prison leavers get jobs is a huge source of pride’: Recruitment regulator Peter Lawrence on a bumpy but rewarding year
22 Dec 2021 Civil Service Reform
'Helping prison leavers get jobs is a huge source of pride’: Recruitment regulator Peter Lawrence on a bumpy but rewarding 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 Civil Service Commission chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'There has been a huge collective effort across government to do things differently': Projects chief Nick Smallwood looks back at 2021
22 Dec 2021 Planning
'There has been a huge collective effort across government to do things differently': Projects chief Nick Smallwood looks back at 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 Infrastructure and Projects Authority chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
‘The innovation came singing through at every level’: Shona Dunn on this year's Civil Service Awards
21 Dec 2021 HR
‘The innovation came singing through at every level’: Shona Dunn on this year's Civil Service Awards
As the 2021 Civil Service Award winners celebrate their achievement, Suzannah Brecknell speaks to awards champion Shona Dunn to find out what set them apart from a strong field of nominations
‘Lessons we’ve learned will stand us in good stead’: CCS chief Simon Tse looks back on 2021
21 Dec 2021 Commercial
‘Lessons we’ve learned will stand us in good stead’: CCS chief Simon Tse looks back 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 Crown Commercial Service chief executive tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Roundtable: Strategic thinking Partner Content
21 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
Roundtable: Strategic thinking
The National Data Strategy committed to transforming the way government uses data but progress towards this aim remains patchy. Mark Smulian reports on a CSW roundtable discussing how to move even faster towards the goal of a truly data-driven government
‘I’m immensely proud of all my staff’: Helen Stephenson on a year of support and motivation at the Charity Commission
21 Dec 2021 Leadership
‘I’m immensely proud of all my staff’: Helen Stephenson on a year of support and motivation at the Charity Commission
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Charity Commission CEO tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Alex Nice: Sealing deals with Middle England
21 Dec 2021 Economy
Alex Nice: Sealing deals with Middle England
Boris Johnson's devolution-driven levelling up offer to counties is still a work in progress, but Treasury support will be vital
‘The Brexit impact was massive’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss on an unprecedented year
21 Dec 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
‘The Brexit impact was massive’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss on an unprecedented 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 Intellectual Property Office chief exec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with big new challenges
'BEIS's biggest challenge has been a long and unpredictable to-do list': Sarah Munby reflects on 2021
20 Dec 2021 Energy & Environment
'BEIS's biggest challenge has been a long and unpredictable to-do list': Sarah Munby 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 BEIS perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
Why empowering communities is key to the levelling-up agenda
20 Dec 2021 Economy
Why empowering communities is key to the levelling-up agenda
Local areas need cash and a say in how it is spent to turn the prime minister’s pledges into reality, argue Vidhya Alakeson of Power to Change and Alex Smith of The Cares Family
'We demonstrated how adaptable and innovative we can be': Andrew Goodall on how the Welsh Government tackled Covid
20 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
'We demonstrated how adaptable and innovative we can be': Andrew Goodall on how the Welsh Government tackled Covid
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Welsh Government perm sec tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'The biggest challenge we’ve faced has been responding to the increase in gender-based violence': Cross Government Gender Network
20 Dec 2021 HR
'The biggest challenge we’ve faced has been responding to the increase in gender-based violence': Cross Government Gender Network
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The Cross Government Gender Network tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the impact of Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'An oracle would be handy': Chief medical officer Chris Whitty's New Year's wish
17 Dec 2021 Coronavirus
'An oracle would be handy': Chief medical officer Chris Whitty's New Year's wish
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's top medic tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'After Cop26, the Scottish Government must go further and faster': Leslie Evans looks ahead
17 Dec 2021 Energy & Environment
'After Cop26, the Scottish Government must go further and faster': Leslie Evans 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. The Scottish Government's top official tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
'DWP must continue to adapt': Peter Schofield on 2022 – and the celebrity he'd get to cater his NYE party
16 Dec 2021 Leadership
'DWP must continue to adapt': Peter Schofield on 2022 – and the celebrity he'd get to cater his NYE party
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. DWP's permanent secretary tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
Jayne Brady on 2021's 'testing mix of circumstances' for Northern Ireland and becoming the first female NICS head
16 Dec 2021 Leadership
Jayne Brady on 2021's 'testing mix of circumstances' for Northern Ireland and becoming the first female NICS head
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 Civil Service head tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
What we know about the FCDO's handling of the Afghan crisis – and what we don’t
16 Dec 2021 Foreign Affairs
What we know about the FCDO's handling of the Afghan crisis – and what we don’t
Unanswered emails, irresponsible holidays and “chaotic” processes: these are some of the accusations levelled against the Foreign Office over its handling of the Afghan crisis in August. Here's what we know – and what we don’t
Nightingale courts and remote hearings – how the MoJ adapted to Covid challenges
15 Dec 2021 Justice & Home Affairs
Nightingale courts and remote hearings – how the MoJ adapted to Covid challenges
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. Ministry of Justice permanent secretary Antonia Romeo tells us about 12 months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges
‘2022 is about delivering on our promises’ – Alex Chisholm on his priority for the coming year
15 Dec 2021 Leadership
‘2022 is about delivering on our promises’ – Alex Chisholm on his priority for the coming 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 Cabinet Office perm sec and civil service COO tells us about 12 more months of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time as pushing ahead with new challenges