'I felt like the boy in short trousers': What’s it like to manage people who are decades older than you?
30 Mar HR

'I felt like the boy in short trousers': What’s it like to manage people who are decades older than you?

Taking on challenging leadership roles can be a quick progression route for younger civil servants, but the experience is not always easy. CSW gets the lowdown from officials who’ve been through it
by Susan Allott
What can policy professionals learn from evidence-based policing?
22 Apr Justice & Home Affairs
What can policy professionals learn from evidence-based policing?
'Region building is nation building': Who is responsible for driving economic growth?
20 Apr Economics
'Region building is nation building': Who is responsible for driving economic growth?
Director's Cut: Adrian Orchard on resilience, listening and bartering at sea
17 Apr Security & Defence
Director's Cut: Adrian Orchard on resilience, listening and bartering at sea
Changing places: What it's really like to work in the Treasury, and the inside story of its Darlington campus
26 Oct 2021 Finance
Changing places: What it's really like to work in the Treasury, and the inside story of its Darlington campus
The Treasury has a long history, and its reputation as Whitehall’s most intimidating department casts a long shadow. But two DGs tell Richard Johnstone that perception doesn’t match reality
‘Cutting edge’ or a ‘security nightmare’? Government anti-espionage unit on the tech behind Bond gadgets
21 Oct 2021 Security & Defence
‘Cutting edge’ or a ‘security nightmare’? Government anti-espionage unit on the tech behind Bond gadgets
As No Time To Die smashes box-office records, technical experts from the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping tell us whether 007’s favourite spy toys are rooted in reality
How to Cop: Senior civil servants reveal the planning for the Glasgow climate conference, and how the landmark talks will run Exclusive
19 Oct 2021 Energy & Environment
How to Cop: Senior civil servants reveal the planning for the Glasgow climate conference, and how the landmark talks will run
The Cop26 summit will be the biggest ever international event held in the UK. Richard Johnstone speaks to two senior civil servants about the planning for the conference, and the long nights ahead
Andy Cowper: Learning the lessons from Covid-19
18 Oct 2021 Coronavirus
Andy Cowper: Learning the lessons from Covid-19
At a time of taxing politics – and politicising taxes – a government review of NHS management mustn’t get in the way of learning from the pandemic
Black History Month: Minorities shouldn’t need to excel to be accepted
15 Oct 2021
Black History Month: Minorities shouldn’t need to excel to be accepted
In a personal opinion, civil servant Ayo Awoyungbo explains why he’s not celebrating this Black History Month
Opinion: Ministers risk becoming leaden-footed luddites as work from home row rumbles on
14 Oct 2021 HR
Opinion: Ministers risk becoming leaden-footed luddites as work from home row rumbles on
Every day seems to bring new jibes at hard working civil servants over office returns. But eventually reality will catch up with
'We need allies': Kelsey-Rae Williams on the importance of strong networks, supportive mentors and lessons from her parents as she progressed into leadership
14 Oct 2021 HR
"We need allies": Kelsey-Rae Williams on the importance of strong networks, supportive mentors and lessons from her parents as she progressed into leadership
The head of equality, diversity, and inclusion at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens shares her leadership lessons
From laying the groundwork for Northern Ireland peace to chairing the Iraq Inquiry: Sir John Chilcot remembered
13 Oct 2021 Security & Defence
From laying the groundwork for Northern Ireland peace to chairing the Iraq Inquiry: Sir John Chilcot remembered
Sir John Chilcot, who died on 3 October 2021, was a highly regarded public servant whose name will forever be associated the forensic inquiry on the Iraq war which he chaired. His proudest achievement, though, was helping to bring peace in Northern Ireland. Here we share tributes to Sir John, written by people who worked with him during his distinguished career
Garry Graham: If the PM wants a high wage economy, let’s see that reflected in the civil service
08 Oct 2021 Economy
Garry Graham: If the PM wants a high wage economy, let’s see that reflected in the civil service
Officials have suffered a decade of pay restraint. If the government is serious about boosting pay, it must show it in the coming pay round
Opinion: How does Boris Johnson plan to reform government without Dominic Cummings?
04 Oct 2021 Civil Service Reform
Opinion: How does Boris Johnson plan to reform government without Dominic Cummings?
The government has set out some plans to change how the British state works, but has not yet developed a plan for delivering it. Colin Talbot looks at what is missing
Take a chance on me
30 Sep 2021 Civil Service Reform
Take a chance on me
During National Inclusion week, CSW looks at the Going Forward into Employment programme, which is giving opportunities to those who need them most, and bringing new talents into government
‘Dear chief secretary…’: An ex-Treasury DG’s dos and don’ts for the Spending Review
28 Sep 2021 Finance
‘Dear chief secretary…’: An ex-Treasury DG’s dos and don’ts for the Spending Review
Following the government’s reshuffle, the Treasury has a new chief secretary in Simon Clarke. Andrew Hudson, a former Treasury director general, briefed new ministers following the 2010 general election, and he draws on this experience to write his own briefing for Clarke’s desk
Any complaints? How government can use public feedback to improve services
24 Sep 2021 Operational Delivery
Any complaints? How government can use public feedback to improve services
Public complaints are a vital part of government accountability, and offer valuable insights for improving services. But reform is needed to make the most of them, says former senior civil servant William Goodhind
Building blocks: National Infrastructure Commission chief James Heath on taking the reins during lockdown Exclusive
23 Sep 2021 Economy
Building blocks: National Infrastructure Commission chief James Heath on taking the reins during lockdown
As the National Infrastructure Commission begins work on its next assessment of the UK’s future needs, chief executive James Heath talks to Richard Johnstone about taking a long-term perspective, the impact of Covid, and monitoring government commitments
Opinion: what makes a reform?
22 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
Opinion: what makes a reform?
Social care changes announced by government are a big change in the sector. But whether they meet the prime ministers pledge to fix a plethora of problems remains to be seen
'I always look calm. I don’t necessarily feel that way': Jenny Harries on Covid-19 and founding the UK Health Security Agency Exclusive
21 Sep 2021 Coronavirus
'I always look calm. I don’t necessarily feel that way': Jenny Harries on Covid-19 and founding the UK Health Security Agency
Dr Jenny Harries became UKHSA's first chief executive, after being an integral part of the government’s response to Covid-19 as deputy chief medical officer. She shares the experience
Lifting the load: Bernadette Thompson shares her leadership insights
16 Sep 2021 HR
Lifting the load: Bernadette Thompson shares her leadership insights
Bernadette Thompson, a deputy director in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, shares her thoughts on compassionate leadership and the importance of supporting others as you forge your own career
Andy Cowper: So, are social care and the NHS now sorted?
15 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
Andy Cowper: So, are social care and the NHS now sorted?
The government’s tax hike for health and social care will provide extra funding, but does it go far enough?
Opinion: As the government considers its approach to regulation, here’s how it could improve scrutiny
13 Sep 2021 Policy
Opinion: As the government considers its approach to regulation, here’s how it could improve scrutiny
Regulatory Policy Committee chair Stephen Gibson shares his thoughts as the government consults on reforming the Better Regulation Framework 
In confidence: Karina Singh, director of transformation at HM Land Registry discusses leadership styles
08 Sep 2021 Civil Service Reform
In confidence: Karina Singh, director of transformation at HM Land Registry discusses leadership styles
A few months after joining the civil service as a summer job, Karina Singh was taking on her first leadership role. Now leading transformation at HM Land Registry, she talks to CSW about the importance of testing and trusting yourself as you carve out your own leadership style
Mixed messaging: Lee Cain's proposals to reform government communications need more clarity
07 Sep 2021 Communications
Mixed messaging: Lee Cain's proposals to reform government communications need more clarity
Kay Hender, head of communications at the FDA union, argues that Lee Cain has identified some of the challenges faced by the Government Communications Service, but his proposed solutions are contradictory and could make things worse
The pain of migraines: one civil servant shares their experience
03 Sep 2021 Health & Social Care
The pain of migraines: one civil servant shares their experience
The condition can be crippling, but what can be done to ease the symptoms? To mark Migraine Awareness Week, Paul Scullion shares his own experiences
Party time: exploring Germany’s system of political civil servants
18 Aug 2021 Foreign Affairs
Party time: exploring Germany’s system of political civil servants
The federal government in Germany has developed a third way between the models of the UK and US civil services, with political control over only the top jobs. Prof. Dr. Werner Jann sheds light on this hybrid system
What next for the UK’s data protection regime?
17 Aug 2021 Digital, Data & Technology
What next for the UK’s data protection regime?
The EU may have granted its former member state adequacy, but there will be many more issues to resolve in the coming years. Sam Trendall explores