'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
In, out, shake it all about: Which schemes are in the new streamlined Government Major Projects Portfolio?
02 Apr Project Delivery
In, out, shake it all about: Which schemes are in the new streamlined Government Major Projects Portfolio?
High earners list published for first time in three years
25 Mar HR
High earners list published for first time in three years
'We are able to tackle problems creatively and quickly': Megan Lee-Devlin on AI adoption and integrated teams
24 Mar Digital, Data & Technology
'We are able to tackle problems creatively and quickly': Megan Lee-Devlin on AI adoption and integrated teams
Right time, right people – NIO perm sec Dr Julie Harrison looks back on 2025 highlights
18 Dec 2025 Leadership
Right time, right people – NIO perm sec Dr Julie Harrison looks back on 2025 highlights
The Northern Ireland Office perm sec also picks her "obvious" choice to turn on the Christmas lights
Lionesses and letters to loved ones – DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey’s 2025 highlights
17 Dec 2025 Culture
Lionesses and letters to loved ones – DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey’s 2025 highlights
Plus, the inspiring sports star Storey would pick to turn on the Christmas lights
‘If we do not reform ourselves, others will do it instead’ – AGO's Douglas Wilson on being a leader in 2025
16 Dec 2025 Justice & Home Affairs
‘If we do not reform ourselves, others will do it instead’ – AGO's Douglas Wilson on being a leader in 2025
Attorney General’s Office DG says serious reform carries risks, but the risks of inaction could be even greater
A hard landing and the power of kindness: JP Marks reflects on first year leading HMRC
16 Dec 2025 Government Tax Profession
A hard landing and the power of kindness: JP Marks reflects on first year leading HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs perm sec says 2026 will be about “the hard yards of delivery”
‘This is change for the better, and I am confident we will deliver it’ – Peter Schofield on DWP’s year ahead
15 Dec 2025 Leadership
‘This is change for the better, and I am confident we will deliver it’ – Peter Schofield on DWP’s year ahead
Kicking off this year's perm secs roundup, the DWP perm sec also picks out his 2025 highlights, including a snowy pilgrimage across the Swiss-Italian border
Sajid Javid reflects on departments with most 'passionate' staff
12 Dec 2025 Civil Service Reform
Sajid Javid reflects on departments with most 'passionate' staff
Former chancellor speaks about risk-aversion, diary secretaries and the departments officials "really wanted to work in"
A forensic approach to reducing sickness absence: Naomi McGoun on winning the 2006 Efficiency Award
09 Dec 2025 Justice & Home Affairs
A forensic approach to reducing sickness absence: Naomi McGoun on winning the 2006 Efficiency Award
In the week of the 2025 Civil Service Awards ceremony, we invite past winners to look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Winning ways: Gail Peck and Barton reflect on their 2008 Wellbeing Award
09 Dec 2025 Leadership
Winning ways: Gail Peck and Barton reflect on their 2008 Wellbeing Award
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
It's good to talk: Sam Lister reflects on 2014 Communications Award win
09 Dec 2025 Communications
It's good to talk: Sam Lister reflects on 2014 Communications Award win
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Hard work PAYES off: Suzanne Newton on winning the 2014 Operational Excellence award
09 Dec 2025 Operational Delivery
Hard work PAYES off: Suzanne Newton on winning the 2014 Operational Excellence award
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Joining-up to prevent human trafficking: Emma Hopkins on winning the 2008 Cabinet Secretary's Award
09 Dec 2025 Foreign Affairs
Joining-up to prevent human trafficking: Emma Hopkins on winning the 2008 Cabinet Secretary's Award
To mark two decades of the Civil Service Awards, past winners look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
Which departments need to improve their recruitment practices? The results are in
09 Dec 2025 HR
Which departments need to improve their recruitment practices? The results are in
Civil Service Commission's government-wide audit of recruitment finds six departments and agencies need to improve recruitment methods
Fancy a BREW? John Fletcher on winning the 2006 Programme and Project Management Award
08 Dec 2025 Project Delivery
Fancy a BREW? John Fletcher on winning the 2006 Programme and Project Management Award
In the week of the 2025 Civil Service Awards ceremony, we invite past winners to look back at the work which helped them stand out from the crowd, reflecting on their memories of winning, how the experience shaped their careers, and their biggest lessons learned
‘No two days are the same’ – why civil servants should volunteer as magistrates
05 Dec 2025 HR
‘No two days are the same’ – why civil servants should volunteer as magistrates
Civil servant Athos Ritsperis tells CSW why he has been volunteering as a magistrate for the last 15 years – and why you should consider doing the same
Trailblazing Women: Celebrating a century of progress in the civil service
04 Dec 2025 Civil Service Reform
Trailblazing Women: Celebrating a century of progress in the civil service
Civil Service World’s new Trailblazing Women project will shine a light on the leaders who broke barriers and shaped government, while offering inspiration and insight into the evolving face of public service leadership
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
02 Dec 2025 Economics
High tax, low strategy: What the 2025 Budget tells us about the British state
This Budget was another chapter in the story of a state that has not yet learned to think and act strategically
The Civil Service Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in delivery
01 Dec 2025 Local & Devolved
The Civil Service Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in delivery
Scottish Government permanent secretary on turning policies into tangible improvements
‘We’ve got a long way to go but the recovery is under way’: Interview with new ONS perm sec Darren Tierney
25 Nov 2025 Civil Service Reform
‘We’ve got a long way to go but the recovery is under way’: Interview with new ONS perm sec Darren Tierney
New boss of Office for National Statistics talks to CSW about his first impressions of the stats body, prioritisation and addressing cultural issues at the department
Defra reviewing 33 offices and a second DBT office in SW1: Departments reveal property plans
24 Nov 2025 HR
Defra reviewing 33 offices and a second DBT office in SW1: Departments reveal property plans
HMRC gives hubs programme update and DHSC says it is working on a Manchester Health hub in strategic asset management plans
How can the Fast Stream get better?
20 Nov 2025
How can the Fast Stream get better?
Ex-Fast Stream boss and other experts discuss how the programme can be improved and efforts that are already under way
Here are the champions: Catching up with past Civil Service Award winners
19 Nov 2025
Here are the champions: Catching up with past Civil Service Award winners
In a series of articles to mark the Civil Service Awards 20th Anniversary, we meet a selection of winners from across the years to find out more about work behind their achievements, how their careers have evolved since, and their wisdom for this year's top teams
Things do change for the better, however slowly: What I learnt as a union official
14 Nov 2025 HR
Things do change for the better, however slowly: What I learnt as a union official
Former FDA assistant general secretary Lucille Thirlby shares why patience and looking after your own wellbeing are crucial when pushing for progress
Violence against women and girls: Far more focus on prevention is needed
10 Nov 2025 Justice & Home Affairs
Violence against women and girls: Far more focus on prevention is needed
This parliament is a unique window to lay the foundations for lasting progress on VAWG
Ombudsman on a mission: Interview with Paula Sussex
05 Nov 2025 HR
Ombudsman on a mission: Interview with Paula Sussex
Paula Sussex is the new ombudsman responsible for looking into complaints from the public about services provided by the UK government and the NHS in England. She talks to CSW about her leadership style, listening to customers and the long road to reform