With the end of 2015 in sight, we asked Whitehall's top officials to review the year, set out their priorities for 2016 – and shed some light on their festive plans. Jon Thompson, Ministry of Defence permanent secretary, takes part in our biggest-ever perm secs' round-up series...
How did you tackle the biggest challenges facing your organisation in 2015?
2015 has been a year of two halves. In the run up to the general election we were striving to complete all of the outstanding issues for the last government and engaging the opposition with briefings. That was a busy period but we delivered very well against the targets for the last government. Since then ministers have returned, fired up with a new mandate and enthusiastic for the next five years. There has been an intense period to agree the Strategic Defence and Security Review and Spending Review, on top of running a busy agenda, but this is vital as we settle on short and medium term goals for the rest of this parliament. The MoD has a great team and we are clear about we want to deliver now and into the future.
What are your department’s top priorities in the year ahead?
The biggest challenge is getting, keeping and inspiring the talent we need to lead. Continuing to build the capacity and capability of all leaders is critical for defence, not just for delivery of our goals, but to inspire our people and build the kind of inclusive and diverse organisation needed. It would be easy to talk about the huge delivery agenda we have post-SDSR and SR, but getting the right range of people, from different backgrounds with the skills and expertise necessary is a constant challenge and the Defence Board’s number one concern. I spend a huge amount of time on leadership and people issues and unless I do that I don’t think we’ll be able to deliver all the outcomes we need to.
What film do you hope to watch over the festive period – and what’s the best game to play with the family on Christmas Day?
I am definitely going to see Star Wars with my family at Christmas. My three adult sons are super hyped up about it so we’ll all go together, Boxing Day I think! The best Christmas Day game is Jägerbombs and Twister.
Perm secs round-up 2015: Whitehall's top civil servants review the year – and look ahead to 2016