As the Olympics fade from memory, the legacy goals could also slip away – leaving London, like Athens, with a pricey herd of white elephants. Suzannah Brecknell tests the cross-Whitehall effort to reap the Games’ rewards.

The government is committed to reforming programme and project management in the civil service. Tim Gibson reports on a Civil Service World round table that discussed how to ensure that its reform plans meet with success.

The government has now published its permanent secretaries’ objectives, listing the targets against which their performance will be assessed. Joshua Chambers explains how the move is likely to affect Whitehall leaders

After 35 years in Whitehall and five years leading the Government Equalities Office, Jonathan Rees is heading for the exit. Matt Ross learns of his worries about civil service capabilities, ministerial policies and endless reorganisations

As councils take control of public health budgets and staff, the government’s chief medical officer Sally Davies tells Matt Ross why the reforms should enable all kinds of public officials to help take the pressure off the NHS

In a bid to reduce costs, complexity and confusion, the Cabinet Office is launching a new pan-Whitehall ‘protective marking’ system. Stuart Watson listens in at a round table convened to explain and examine the changes

A council’s education expert explains to Philip Bevan the impact of recent reforms to the schools system.

The government says that boosting our high-tech industries is key to getting the country’s economy moving again. But do its deeds match its words? Jess Bowie examines Whitehall’s work to support innovative businesses.

The failure of the Department for Transport to properly let the West Coast Mainline franchise sent shockwaves through the civil service. Joshua Chambers looks at the lessons to be learned – and how the DfT is responding

Katherine Kerswell and Clare Sumner are heading up the tricky task of civil service reform. Joshua Chambers meets the dynamic duo leading the drive to shake up Whitehall’s skills, structures and working practices

As director of the Scotland Office, Alun Evans is in charge of Whitehall’s efforts to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom. Joshua Chambers meets the man coordinating a vast campaign encompassing most departments

Jon Thompson

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence

Jonathan Stephens

Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Professor Nigel Shadbolt

UK Open Data Adviser; Chairman and Co-Founder of the Open Data Institute

Jonathan Rees

Director General, Government Equalities Office

Richard Heaton

Permanent Secretary and First Parliamentary Counsel, Cabinet Office

Philip Rutnam

Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport

Chris Wormald

Permanent Secretary, Department for Education

David Pitchford

Executive Director, Major Projects Authority

Bronwyn Hill

Permanent Secretary, Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Una O'Brien

Permanent Secretary, Department of Health

Dr Malcolm McKibbin

Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service

Permanent Secretary, Department for International Development