With the end of 2017 fast approaching, we asked the UK's top civil servants to look back at the year, outline their goals for 2018 – and tell us what they cannot do Christmas without.
What are you most proud of achieving in 2017?
It’s not an achievement I can claim as my own but I was very proud to see us introduce the first Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy this year. This was a substantial piece of work, made possible with the input of people right across the civil service and beyond, and puts a real marker down in the sand for organisations up and down the country.
What was your most difficult decision in 2017?
Not one single decision but many: prioritisation. In order to ensure a successful exit from the European Union, we need to take some tough decisions about the projects and work we need to prioritise in the months and years ahead. Part of my role as chief executive is to create an environment where that can happen, and to ensure we’ve got the right people, with the right skills, in the right places, to assist where necessary.
What are your top priorities in the year ahead?
To list just three: to continue to increase our execution expertise as a civil service, particularly to deliver on EU exit projects; to ensure genuine prioritisation; and to move forward with our vision for “A Brilliant Civil Service”.
For you, no Christmas holiday is complete without...
Having to add more brandy to the brandy butter so I can actually taste it!.