'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
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
Shifts and ruptures: Heywood fellow on how the UK should respond to a changing global economic order
24 Apr Economics
Shifts and ruptures: Heywood fellow on how the UK should respond to a changing global economic order
PHE chief Duncan Selbie on new regional directors and the link between health and wealth
31 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
PHE chief Duncan Selbie on new regional directors and the link between health and wealth

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Sir Stephen Lovegrove on the MoD's year of empowerment and dealing with 'constant contest'
30 Dec 2019
Sir Stephen Lovegrove on the MoD's year of empowerment and dealing with 'constant contest'

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Kate Hughes on the creation of a 'more resilient team' in the LGBT+ Network
30 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Kate Hughes on the creation of a 'more resilient team' in the LGBT+ Network

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Sue Reeves and Darren Cryer, co and vice chairs of The Civil Service Disability Network, on staying relevant, accessibility and leaving grades at the door
30 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Sue Reeves and Darren Cryer, co and vice chairs of The Civil Service Disability Network, on staying relevant, accessibility and leaving grades at the door

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Bernadette Kelly on wellbeing, DfT at 100 and making major projects go to plan
29 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Bernadette Kelly on wellbeing, DfT at 100 and making major projects go to plan

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
GIAA chief Elizabeth Honer reflects on 'encouraging' year for leadership and values
29 Dec 2019 Economics
GIAA chief Elizabeth Honer reflects on 'encouraging' year for leadership and values

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Gareth Rhys Williams on 'an exciting year for the commercial function', and the Yellowhammer response
29 Dec 2019 Commercial
Gareth Rhys Williams on 'an exciting year for the commercial function', and the Yellowhammer response

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Jonathan Jones reflects on an 'extraordinary year for legal and constitutional happenings'
28 Dec 2019 Leadership
Jonathan Jones reflects on an 'extraordinary year for legal and constitutional happenings'

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Government finance function head Mike Driver on getting the basics right and telling stories with data
28 Dec 2019 Economics
Government finance function head Mike Driver on getting the basics right and telling stories with data

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Infrastructure and Projects Authority chief Nick Smallwood on learning lessons, the 'Three Ps', and net-zero challenges
28 Dec 2019 Energy & Environment
Infrastructure and Projects Authority chief Nick Smallwood on learning lessons, the 'Three Ps', and net-zero challenges

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman reflects on introducing a new inspection framework in 2019
27 Dec 2019 Education
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman reflects on introducing a new inspection framework in 2019

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
NS&I chief exec Ian Ackerley on inspiring a stronger savings culture and ERNIE's quantum leap
26 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
NS&I chief exec Ian Ackerley on inspiring a stronger savings culture and ERNIE's quantum leap

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Helen Stephenson on competitive baking and making the Charity Commission a more effective regulator
26 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Helen Stephenson on competitive baking and making the Charity Commission a more effective regulator

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
‘2020 is a year of global opportunities’ – chief medical officer Chris Whitty looks ahead
26 Dec 2019 Leadership
‘2020 is a year of global opportunities’ – chief medical officer Chris Whitty looks ahead

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Defra chief Tamara Finkelstein on pink brocade, rainbow lanyards and a year of green action
25 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Defra chief Tamara Finkelstein on pink brocade, rainbow lanyards and a year of green action

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
HMRC chief exec Jim Harra on transforming tax, reforming behaviour and sabotaging Santa
25 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
HMRC chief exec Jim Harra on transforming tax, reforming behaviour and sabotaging Santa

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Ofqual chief Sally Collier on delivering new qualifications and unexpected sprouts
25 Dec 2019
Ofqual chief Sally Collier on delivering new qualifications and unexpected sprouts

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
BEIS perm sec Alex Chisholm on the net-zero challenge, thinking long term and the first job he ever lost
24 Dec 2019 Energy & Environment
BEIS perm sec Alex Chisholm on the net-zero challenge, thinking long term and the first job he ever lost

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Gerri Clement & Kate Lalor on the social mobility network's momentum and turning insights into action
24 Dec 2019
Gerri Clement & Kate Lalor on the social mobility network's momentum and turning insights into action
As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Louise Smyth on changing how people see the Companies House Register and being 'adaptable, bold and curious'
24 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Louise Smyth on changing how people see the Companies House Register and being 'adaptable, bold and curious'

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
John Manzoni on a year of 'maintaining normal service at a time of extraordinary political complexity'
23 Dec 2019 Leadership
John Manzoni on a year of 'maintaining normal service at a time of extraordinary political complexity'

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories. Civil service chief executive John Manzoni kicks off our Whitehall roundup
NICS head David Sterling on driving diversity and another year without ministers
23 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
NICS head David Sterling on driving diversity and another year without ministers

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Welsh government perm sec Dame Shan Morgan on adapting to the 'new normal'
23 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Welsh government perm sec Dame Shan Morgan on adapting to the 'new normal'

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Scottish government chief Leslie Evans on climate change and un-cancelling Christmas
23 Dec 2019 Government Tax Profession
Scottish government chief Leslie Evans on climate change and un-cancelling Christmas

As 2020 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2019, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories