'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out....lunch with Gus O'Donnell
15 Jul Civil Service Reform

'Doing politics', handling the tough conversations, and how Alastair Campbell helped him out....lunch with Gus O'Donnell

It’s been 14 years since Gus O’Donnell stepped down as cabinet secretary. Over lunch with Suzannah Brecknell he looks back on his career highlights, the series of failures that led him to become the nation’s top civil servant, and the crisis that made him wish he could return
by Suzannah Brecknell
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘We have balanced the urgent response to the pandemic with the legal requirements that underpin civil service appointments’: Civil Service Commission chief Pete Lawrence on 2020
22 Dec 2020 HR
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'2020 was truly a tipping point for HS2': DfT perm sec Bernadette Kelly on a year of getting 'shovels in the ground', and frustrating media battles
22 Dec 2020
'2020 was truly a tipping point for HS2': DfT perm sec Bernadette Kelly on a year of getting 'shovels in the ground', and frustrating media battles
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
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22 Dec 2020
‘The most isolated people who don’t have LGBT+ support around them are the ones that need support the most’: Kate Hughes, chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network, on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘The whole of society needs a break this Christmas’: Environment Agency’s Emma Howard Boyd on 2020
22 Dec 2020 Energy & Environment
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'At times like this people want to feel a sense of belonging': Welsh Government perm sec Dame Shan Morgan on 2020
22 Dec 2020
'At times like this people want to feel a sense of belonging': Welsh Government perm sec Dame Shan Morgan on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Our work this year has been the culmination of four years of building a global department’: Department for International Trade perm sec Antonia Romeo on 2020
22 Dec 2020 Leadership
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
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'Brexit means most of my Zoom calls will be for business rather than festive fun': HMRC chief Jim Harra reflects on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Brexit
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
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18 Dec 2020
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
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18 Dec 2020
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Seeing colleagues step up at a time of such uncertainty made me very proud’: GDS DG Fiona Deans on 2020
18 Dec 2020
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2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
'This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House's Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House's Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
18 Dec 2020 Civil Service Reform
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
As 2021 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2020, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
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18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘I've found it really hard not to be able to see people face to face’: DCMS perm sec Sarah Healey on working through Covid
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
‘Understanding which impacts are temporary and which are permanent will be key to 2021’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss’s Covid reflections
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
‘Understanding which impacts are temporary and which are permanent will be key to 2021’: IPO chief exec Tim Moss’s Covid reflections
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
NAO chief Gareth Davies on Covid: ‘We adjusted to fully remote auditing without compromising on quality’
18 Dec 2020 Leadership
NAO chief Gareth Davies on Covid: ‘We adjusted to fully remote auditing without compromising on quality’
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Less ‘just in time’, more ‘just in case’: How government can be a better customer when the next crisis hits
16 Dec 2020 Commercial
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There have been some government procurement successes during Covid-19, but there are also many lessons to be learned, says Aidan Shilson-Thomas, a senior researcher at the think-tank Reform
Opinion: There is evidence of workplace bias in the civil service – we need some way of addressing that
16 Dec 2020 HR
Opinion: There is evidence of workplace bias in the civil service – we need some way of addressing that
If the government is determined to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, then it’s time we saw the evidence, says Prospect’s Garry Graham
Perm secs round-up 2020: Reflections from the top of government on a year like no other
16 Dec 2020 Leadership
Perm secs round-up 2020: Reflections from the top of government on a year like no other
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'Changes at the top of departments always present exciting opportunities': Attorney General's Office DG Shehzad Charania reflects on the 'privilege' of leadership during a challenging year
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
'Changes at the top of departments always present exciting opportunities': Attorney General's Office DG Shehzad Charania reflects on the 'privilege' of leadership during a challenging year
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
'Our people didn’t just manage, they excelled': Peter Schofield on how DWP handled the pandemic
15 Dec 2020 Leadership
'Our people didn’t just manage, they excelled': Peter Schofield on how DWP handled the pandemic
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021