With the end of 2017 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2018 – and tell us what they cannot do Christmas without
Philip Rutnam (right)
What are you most proud of achieving in 2017?
I only arrived in the Home Office this spring so I can take no credit for its achievements, but I was hugely impressed by its superbly professional response to the terrorist attacks earlier this year. At a more personal level, as disability champion I was delighted the civil service won the award for culture change programme of the year from the Business Disability Forum, against very stiff competition from the private sector.
What was your most difficult decision in 2017?
It was really hard deciding to leave the Department for Transport, an organisation I knew and loved with lots of great projects. But it was such an honour to become permanent secretary of the Home Office, which for me has the most important mission in government – keeping the country and its people safe.
What are your department’s top priorities in the year ahead?
Deliver on preparations for Brexit. Continue to develop the end-to-end system for fighting terrorism. Keep improving our operational services, whether it’s the border, visas, passports, or immigration enforcement.
For you, no Christmas holiday is complete without...
A good long walk on Boxing Day.