Sam Macrory

Interview: BEIS perm sec Alex Chisholm on merging DECC and BIS, the Industrial Strategy, and the Brexit challenge
27 Feb 2017 Brexit
Interview: BEIS perm sec Alex Chisholm on merging DECC and BIS, the Industrial Strategy, and the Brexit challenge

Nine days after his appointment as permanent secretary of the Department of Energy & Climate Change, Alex Chisholm suddenly found himself running the newly-formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Here he talks merging ministries, Brexit and championing both business and consumers with Sam Macrory
Bronwyn Hill interview: the former Defra chief on Brexit, nuclear and the day Owen Paterson made a splash
15 Feb 2017 Brexit
Bronwyn Hill interview: the former Defra chief on Brexit, nuclear and the day Owen Paterson made a splash

Once credited as the woman who “smashed Whitehall’s glass ceiling”, Bronwyn Hill spent four years as Defra permanent secretary until she stepped down in 2015. She tells Sam Macrory about her new role, Brexit expectations for her former fiefdom, and one minister’s time in the mire
Gus O'Donnell interview: 'Be under no illusions – Brexit is an enormous challenge for the civil service'
17 Nov 2016 Brexit
Gus O'Donnell interview: "Be under no illusions – Brexit is an enormous challenge for the civil service"

To win at the dice game Perudo, players need to calculate risk and read their opponents. No surprise, then, that Gus O’Donnell is a master. Britain’s former top civil servant talks Blair, Brown and life after Brexit with The House magazine's Sam Macrory
Sir Suma Chakrabarti interview – the former MoJ perm sec on flexible working, Brexit – and why Whitehall must 'up its game' on diversity
10 Oct 2016 Government Tax Profession
Sir Suma Chakrabarti interview – the former MoJ perm sec on flexible working, Brexit – and why Whitehall must "up its game" on diversity

Sir Suma Chakrabarti did more than most to bring the civil service into the 21st century. Now that he’s president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Sam Macrory offers a penny for his thoughts
Ministers don't shout loud enough about civil service achievements, says former MoJ perm sec Suma Chakrabarti
10 Oct 2016
Ministers don't shout loud enough about civil service achievements, says former MoJ perm sec Suma Chakrabarti

Former perm sec says tells CSW his time as president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has shown him that UK civil service is probably the "best in the world". Image credit: Photoshot
Interview: Vicky Pryce, former head of the Government Economic Service – 'Referendums tend to polarise, people lash out”
26 Jul 2016 Brexit
Interview: Vicky Pryce, former head of the Government Economic Service – "Referendums tend to polarise, people lash out”

Vicky Pryce, former joint head of the Government Economic Service, tells Sam Macrory why, despite the tumultuous times ahead, she would welcome a return to Whitehall…and not only to increase the number of senior women by one
Sir Nigel Sheinwald interview: The UK's former EU ambassador on the 'massive political and legislative task' of making Brexit work for Britain
21 Jul 2016 Brexit
Sir Nigel Sheinwald interview: The UK's former EU ambassador on the "massive political and legislative task" of making Brexit work for Britain

Britain's new prime minister Theresa May has vowed to "make a success" of Britain's historic decision to quit the European Union. But as Sir Nigel Sheinwald – the UK's former permanent representative to the European Union – tells Sam Macrory, that will no easy task
Interview: Former Home Office perm sec Helen Ghosh on the 'confrontational' Francis Maude era – and life after Whitehall
20 Jul 2016 HR
Interview: Former Home Office perm sec Helen Ghosh on the "confrontational" Francis Maude era – and life after Whitehall

The civil service "lost self-confidence" as a result of the coalition's reform, the former Defra and Home Office perm sec tells Sam Macrory, as the pair take tea in Sutton House
Former government economics chief Vicky Pryce: Brexit a 'huge opportunity' for Whitehall to prove itself
01 Jul 2016 Foreign Affairs
Former government economics chief Vicky Pryce: Brexit a "huge opportunity" for Whitehall to prove itself

“This is the time for civil servants to show what they can do," Vicky Pryce tells CSW
Civil service has lost 'next generation' of female leaders – ex-Home Office chief Helen Ghosh
17 Jun 2016 Government Tax Profession
Civil service has lost "next generation" of female leaders – ex-Home Office chief Helen Ghosh

Exclusive: Former Home Office permanent secretary says fall in the number of female permanent secretaries is “very disappointing” – and says lack of senior women in the Treasury could be to blame
Interview: Former Health and Safety Executive chair Dame Judith Hackitt on apprenticeships, Brexit and ’elf ‘n’ safety myths
26 May 2016 Economy
Interview: Former Health and Safety Executive chair Dame Judith Hackitt on apprenticeships, Brexit and ’elf ‘n’ safety myths

Dame Judith Hackitt, the new head of the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, spent nine years overseeing the Health & Safety Executive before returning to her roots in industry. Sam Macrory meets her