'I could tell you 20 things that are wrong with Whitehall. But it has worked': Ex-trade chief Sir Crawford Falconer on Brexit, bureaucracy and why MOG changes are overrated
16 Jul Brexit

'I could tell you 20 things that are wrong with Whitehall. But it has worked': Ex-trade chief Sir Crawford Falconer on Brexit, bureaucracy and why MOG changes are overrated

Falconer spent seven years as the UK's chief trade negotiation adviser and second perm sec before leaving last year. In this Q&A interview, he talks about setting up the trade policy function, the pitfalls of joint departments, and lessons from Brexit
by Matilda Martin and Beckie Smith
'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out: Lunch with... Gus O'Donnell
15 Jul Civil Service Reform
'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out: Lunch with... Gus O'Donnell
One year on: the perm sec state of play
04 Jul HR
One year on: the perm sec state of play
How to close a quango: As DHSC prepares to absorb NHS England, we ask the experts
03 Jul Civil Service Reform
How to close a quango: As DHSC prepares to absorb NHS England, we ask the experts
Smart state: Can AI deliver a better future? Sponsored
23 Dec 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
Smart state: Can AI deliver a better future?
As officials face pressure to improve services and reduce budgets, they must make the most of the opportunities presented by AI. Mark Rowe reports on a day designed to cut through hype and offer practical advice on using new technologies to rethink services
'We can do great things when we work together': Julie Harrison reflects on the NI Executive's return
23 Dec 2024 Local & Devolved
'We can do great things when we work together': Julie Harrison reflects on the NI Executive's return
The NIO perm sec reflects on an eventful first year at the department
Growing conflicts and core objectives – export boss Tim Reid looks back on past 12 months
23 Dec 2024 Finance
Growing conflicts and core objectives – export boss Tim Reid looks back on past 12 months
Reid also outlines challenges ahead in 2025, including the need to innovate at pace
‘Heartbreaking’: DE&S chief Andy Start reflects on toughest moment of 2024
20 Dec 2024 Security & Defence
‘Heartbreaking’: DE&S chief Andy Start reflects on toughest moment of 2024
Start also discusses progress in delivering “the biggest change to DE&S in a decade”
Making an impact: DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey looks back on year full of highlights
20 Dec 2024 Culture
Making an impact: DCMS perm sec Susannah Storey looks back on year full of highlights
From the Paralympics to art in mental health settings, Susannah Storey says she has loved seeing the real world impact of DCMS’s work
‘Collaboration will be critical’: Sir Ian Diamond looks ahead to 2025
20 Dec 2024 Statistics
‘Collaboration will be critical’: Sir Ian Diamond looks ahead to 2025
National statistician also discusses survey challenges
Reaching beyond the bubble: Government comms chief Simon Baugh looks ahead to 2025’s big challenges
19 Dec 2024 Communications
Reaching beyond the bubble: Government comms chief Simon Baugh looks ahead to 2025’s big challenges
Plus, Baugh picks out a worthy contender for the worst Christmas present
Gareth Davies on DBT's 'incredibly busy' year and getting into Christmas scrapes
19 Dec 2024
Gareth Davies on DBT's 'incredibly busy' year and getting into Christmas scrapes
The perm sec looks back on highlights of 2024 and forward to a year developing the industrial strategy
'An incredible privilege every day': Cat Little on her first year as Cabinet Office perm sec
18 Dec 2024 Civil Service Reform
'An incredible privilege every day': Cat Little on her first year as Cabinet Office perm sec
Little says delivery and implementation will be "at the heart of the year ahead"
Why we should all be more proactive in declaring potential conflicts of interest
17 Dec 2024 HR
Why we should all be more proactive in declaring potential conflicts of interest
National Audit Office director Joshua Reddaway says civil servants should make time to ensure they're up to speed on disclosure requirements
HMRC's Jim Harra on a year of exceeded targets and tough decisions
16 Dec 2024 Finance
HMRC's Jim Harra on a year of exceeded targets and tough decisions
Outgoing first permanent secretary unpacks present challenges and banging Christmases past
Ringside seat: Sarah Healey reflects on an exciting 12 months
13 Dec 2024 Local & Devolved
Ringside seat: Sarah Healey reflects on an exciting 12 months
MHCLG perm sec Sarah Healey looks back on a challenging but thrilling year – and recalls her husband's best and worst Christmas gift efforts
‘I've learned to accept I won’t always have all the answers’: New CCS chief Sam Ulyatt looks back on 2024
13 Dec 2024 Commercial
‘I've learned to accept I won’t always have all the answers’: New CCS chief Sam Ulyatt looks back on 2024
Sam Ulyatt became the Crown Commercial Service chief exec in July
‘I couldn’t be prouder’: Susan Acland-Hood on a year of collaborative success at the DfE
12 Dec 2024 Education
‘I couldn’t be prouder’: Susan Acland-Hood on a year of collaborative success at the DfE
Department for Education perm sec also reflects on missions and recalls Christmas "gnome wars"
IPA chief Nick Smallwood discusses looming change and the ultimate Christmas gift
12 Dec 2024 Project Delivery
IPA chief Nick Smallwood discusses looming change and the ultimate Christmas gift
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority boss also reflects on a "remarkable" 2024
JP Marks looks back on a year of partnership in Scotland
11 Dec 2024 Local & Devolved
JP Marks looks back on a year of partnership in Scotland
The Scottish Government perm sec cites progress on child poverty, delivering digital transformation and supporting a greener economy among his 2024 highlights
Growth spurt: Sarah Munby on a year of expansion at DSIT
09 Dec 2024 Digital, Data & Technology
Growth spurt: Sarah Munby on a year of expansion at DSIT
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology permanent secretary talks potential, prioritisation and prezzies
Modest respite: NAO boss reflects on calmer 2024
09 Dec 2024 Leadership
Modest respite: NAO boss reflects on calmer 2024
Gareth Davies discusses challenges ahead and remembers the best Christmas gifts he's given and received
'I might have helped make our planet safer' – Met Office chief exec looks back on a blustery year
06 Dec 2024 Science & Engineering
'I might have helped make our planet safer' – Met Office chief exec looks back on a blustery year
Prof Penny Endersby talks solar storms, supercomputers, cider-making and sticky gift situations
A year of challenge and change: Susanna McGibbon reflects on 2024's highlights
06 Dec 2024 Legal
A year of challenge and change: Susanna McGibbon reflects on 2024's highlights
Treasury solicitor and Government Legal Department permanent secretary unpacks 12 months of being a leader through turbulent times – then drops a Yuletide bombshell
Why fixing the broken system of civil service reward is key to rewiring the state
05 Dec 2024 Civil Service Reform
Why fixing the broken system of civil service reward is key to rewiring the state
With a new government and a new cabinet secretary the time for pay reform is now, argues the FDA union’s assistant general secretary
We need a higher bar: How, and why, we should overhaul the Fast Stream
04 Dec 2024 HR
We need a higher bar: How, and why, we should overhaul the Fast Stream
The civil service needs to radically rethink how it attracts and manages top talent - and reforming the Fast Stream is the essential first step in that process
Meet the new boss: Positive reaction to Chris Wormald's appointment as cab sec
03 Dec 2024 HR
Meet the new boss: Positive reaction to Chris Wormald's appointment as cab sec
PM's top civil servant pick "suggests willingness to take public sector reform seriously" but unions warn of need for pay reform
Devolving employment support for vulnerable people is welcome, but let’s make sure we get it right
29 Nov 2024
Devolving employment support for vulnerable people is welcome, but let’s make sure we get it right
Can a personalised employment service replicate its success across the country? Nadine Smith and Niall O’Reilly sing the praises of Individual Placement and Support