What was your highlight of 2024?
In September I marked my anniversary as the permanent secretary in the Northern Ireland Office.The time really has flown by!
It is hard to select one highlight – but ensuring the return of the Northern Ireland Executive was by far the most pressing objective and one that, happily, was met in February. I was proud not just of the excellent work of the NIO, but of the genuine collaboration and team effort across Whitehall. We can do great things when we work together.
What was the hardest part of being a leader in 2024?
I’m extremely fortunate to work alongside capable, energetic and dedicated people in my own department and right across the civil service.
Being in a position of leadership in public service is something I am grateful for. But this doesn’t mean that leading is without challenges. As head of one of the smaller departments in HMG, the Northern Ireland Office has an extensive remit and a broad range of responsibilities, which are delivered by a small team. This requires agility and ongoing prioritisation to deploy the resources we have to best effect. Doing that while making sure that each person in the department feels valued and can thrive in their role can be hard. But it is an excellent challenge too.
What are the main challenges facing the NIO in the coming year – and how are you planning to meet them?
The saying “no two days are the same” feels like it was coined with the NIO in mind, and our ability to navigate new challenges and unexpected circumstances with agility and an ability to focus on what matters is both important and impressive.
The next year, I am sure, will bring many plenty of new challenges and exciting opportunities, all of which help make the Northern Ireland Office such a unique place to work.
"The saying 'no two days are the same' feels like it was coined with the NIO in mind"
We are the UK government’s centre of expertise on Northern Ireland and we have a clear and simple vision – to make Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest. Day to day this means:
- Working with the Northern Ireland Executive to transform public services and champion investment opportunities;
- Implementing the Windsor Framework and protecting the UK internal market, helping Northern Ireland to stabilise after the uncertainty of recent years;
- Addressing the legacy of the past, working with all communities to find a way forward that commands the support of the people of Northern Ireland and supports the journey towards reconciliation.
Delivering this will not be straightforward, but I am confident that we have the right people, the right attitude and the right expertise to do so.
What was the best Christmas present you’ve ever given or received? And the worst?
Best: Cookie Monster calculator
Worst: No comment!