Civil Service Awards: DBT perm sec Gareth Davies on the new Innovation Award and what he looks for in nominations
Ahead of the nominations for the 20th Civil Service Awards closing tomorrow, CSW speaks to Gareth Davies, the champion for the awards and permanent secretary at the Department for Business and Trade
You became Awards champion last year – why were you keen to take on the role?
It's lovely to read about the amazing work that goes on day in, day out across the civil service. The nominations are always so inspiring, and really demonstrate the difference we can make to people’s lives across the country.
You've been to many Civil Service Awards ceremonies over the years in different roles, do you have a favourite memory from any of those ceremonies?
The awards ceremony is always a great evening to celebrate the civil service at its very best. It was so moving last year to see Pauline MacNeil from the Ministry of Justice receive the Prime Minister’s Award for the incredible work she did with the courts during the riots last summer. I was blown away by what she had achieved in such difficult circumstances.
You've introduced an Innovators Award this year to replace the Best Use of Data Science and Tech Award can you tell us the thinking behind that?
What we wanted to do was emphasise that innovation doesn't just come from the application of new technology. Service improvements, new policy insights and new ways of solving thorny problems can come from many different sources!
What are you looking for in the nominations this year?
The main thing I always look for from the nominations is the difference they've made in the real world. We're here to make life better for families and communities across the country –that should always be our test of success.
What impact do you think the Civil Service Awards have had in their first two decades? And why do they remain important now?
It's great to have a moment to celebrate the incredible impact the civil service has on the life of the country. Also it hopefully gives people ideas that they can copy and apply in their teams.
Get your nominations in here for the 2025 awards – a special 20th anniversary edition. The nomination period has been extended. Entries can now be made until 5pm on Friday 25 July