‘We’ve got a long way to go but the recovery is under way’: Interview with new ONS perm sec Darren Tierney
25 Nov 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
by Tevye Markson
Defra reviewing 33 offices and a second DBT office in SW1: Departments reveal property plans
24 Nov HR
Defra reviewing 33 offices and a second DBT office in SW1: Departments reveal property plans
How can the Fast Stream get better?
20 Nov
How can the Fast Stream get better?
Things do change for the better, however slowly: What I learnt as a union official
14 Nov HR
Things do change for the better, however slowly: What I learnt as a union official
Community spirit: MHCLG's Sarah Healey on missions, Grenfell and place-based policymaking
03 Feb
Community spirit: MHCLG's Sarah Healey on missions, Grenfell and place-based policymaking
In her first CSW interview as perm sec at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sarah Healey shares her thoughts on changes ahead, and her tips for keeping worries at bay
Civil servants – we want you to tell us what you really think
31 Jan Civil Service Reform
Civil servants – we want you to tell us what you really think
CSW and Reform launch The Alternative People Survey
What do senior women leaders wish they could tell their younger selves?
30 Jan HR
What do senior women leaders wish they could tell their younger selves?
You don’t need to be brave on your own – and other findings from a recent study
Coach's corner: Tips from an executive coach and former director general
29 Jan HR
Coach's corner: Tips from an executive coach and former director general
Executive coach and former senior civil servant Peter Shaw on his time in government, the common mistake new leaders make and his advice for getting on in the workplace
Why the civil service should do more to protect its institutional memory
27 Jan HR
Why the civil service should do more to protect its institutional memory
As churn rates fuel a new era of amnesia, Susan Allott asks if we can ever escape from Groundhog Day
'The passion for public service is extraordinary’: Fiona Ryland is inspired by civil servants – but not kitchen appliances
24 Jan HR
'The passion for public service is extraordinary’: Fiona Ryland is inspired by civil servants – but not kitchen appliances
Government chief people officer also sets out key recruitment aims for the year ahead
Arrested development: Interview with former DFID perm sec Mark Lowcock
23 Jan Foreign Affairs
Arrested development: Interview with former DFID perm sec Mark Lowcock
CSW speaks to Mark Lowcock, the longest-serving perm sec of the Department for International Development, about the rise and fall of the department – and what could come next
DSIT blueprint unpacks vision for 'new' Government Digital Service
22 Jan Civil Service Reform
DSIT blueprint unpacks vision for 'new' Government Digital Service
Policy paper targets "ensuring" government's pay offer for digital professionals is "competitive within the market"
Going for growth: But will Labour's plan work?
16 Jan Economics
Going for growth: But will Labour's plan work?
It’s central to all their missions, but is growth going well for Labour? And does it look set to improve?
The civil servant who spied for the Soviet Union for 15 years – MI5 files declassified
16 Jan Foreign Affairs
The civil servant who spied for the Soviet Union for 15 years – MI5 files declassified
Infamous Soviet spy and former FCDO, Cabinet Office and HMT official’s first confession made public
Read the winter 2025 issue of Civil Service World
15 Jan Civil Service Reform
Read the winter 2025 issue of Civil Service World
An exclusive interview with MHCLG perm sec Sarah Healey, a profile of the new cab sec and highlights of our annual perm secs round-up
'Modest, confident and fearless': A profile of new cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald
14 Jan HR
'Modest, confident and fearless': A profile of new cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald
CSW speaks to Wormald's former colleagues to find out what makes the new cab sec tick, what he can bring to the role and whether he's someone you'd have a beer with
'Innovation can come from anyone, anywhere': The projects to watch in this year's One Big Thing
13 Jan Digital, Data & Technology
'Innovation can come from anyone, anywhere': The projects to watch in this year's One Big Thing
This year’s One Big Thing is focused on helping civil servants be more innovative. Here, the Cabinet Office sets out the projects already underway and how you can take part
Why the Covid Inquiry needs to hear from more civil servants
06 Jan Coronavirus
Why the Covid Inquiry needs to hear from more civil servants
Ben Connah reflects on a first full year of hearings and how officials can help inform ongoing work
'We can do great things when we work together': The best of the 2024 perm secs roundup
02 Jan Leadership
'We can do great things when we work together': The best of the 2024 perm secs roundup
CSW’s perm secs round-up for 2024 provided insight from leaders across government looking back on a year of historic change. Here are some of the themes and highlights
Alive and kicking: Mark Cheeseman on achieving a 15-year-long aspiration in 2024
31 Dec 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Alive and kicking: Mark Cheeseman on achieving a 15-year-long aspiration in 2024
Public Sector Fraud Authority chief also discusses getting the right work-life balance and the rising fraud threat
'Acknowledging uncertainty and unknowns': Laurence Rockey reflects on 2024 at the Scotland Office
31 Dec 2024 Local & Devolved
'Acknowledging uncertainty and unknowns': Laurence Rockey reflects on 2024 at the Scotland Office
Bringing female Afghan medical students to Scotland was among the Scotland Office director's highlights of the year
'Political leaders deserve more credit': AGO's Douglas Wilson reflects on a transitional year
30 Dec 2024 Legal
'Political leaders deserve more credit': AGO's Douglas Wilson reflects on a transitional year
Plus, the Attorney General's Office director general takes a risk with his worst present anecdote
Need for speed: Co-working commercial chiefs look ahead to busy 2025
27 Dec 2024 Commercial
Need for speed: Co-working commercial chiefs look ahead to busy 2025
Joint interim government chief commercial officers Clare Gibbs and Marco Salzedo also reflect on "incredible opportunity" to lead the Government Commercial Function
Seven new ministers and a MoG change: Marcus Bell reflects on his third government transition
27 Dec 2024
Seven new ministers and a MoG change: Marcus Bell reflects on his third government transition
Plus, equality for all – presents too! Office for Equal Opportunity boss defends bad gifts
Climbing Kilimanjaro, becoming a grandad and getting the job – Mark Bourgeois races through 2024 highlights and challenges ahead
26 Dec 2024 Property & Estates
Climbing Kilimanjaro, becoming a grandad and getting the job – Mark Bourgeois races through 2024 highlights and challenges ahead
The Government Property Agency chief exec takes us back to 1976 for his best and worst gift
The Rewire – Dax Harkins gives update on NS&I's transformation programme
26 Dec 2024 Economics
The Rewire – Dax Harkins gives update on NS&I's transformation programme
The chief exec charts year’s progress on making the state-owned bank “modern, accessible and sustainable” and looks ahead to 2025
New priorities, new puppy and a knighthood: DWP's Peter Schofield recalls eventful 2024
24 Dec 2024 Leadership
New priorities, new puppy and a knighthood: DWP's Peter Schofield recalls eventful 2024
Plus, the Christmas gift the perm sec loves but gets teased about
'The relentless effort required to motivate teams to do extraordinary things': Antonia Romeo on the MoJ's biggest challenges of 2024
24 Dec 2024 Justice & Home Affairs
'The relentless effort required to motivate teams to do extraordinary things': Antonia Romeo on the MoJ's biggest challenges of 2024
Resilience and courage were needed amid prison-capacity pressures and this summer's violent disorder, says the MoJ perm sec