Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport
From January, Lin Homer will become chief executive of HMRC
What are you most proud of achieving in 2011?
We completed the reorganisation of the core department on time and carefully, completing the downsizing. Thereís a lot more to do but Iím very proud of the way the work was done by the change team, with particular care taken to ensure that staff were well communicated with and looked after as much as possible. But I'm also proud of how we got on with the day job in a very busy year, delivering progress on rail reform, Olympics, road improvements and changes in aviation and maritime.
How has the shape and structure of the department changed during 2011?
The core has downsized by 17 per cent and weíve regrouped into a different structure. Pretty much every job has changed. The agencies too have all started looking at cost and approach.
What is the most important thing the department must achieve in 2012?
We must deliver the planned activity (and there is a lot of it). As an infrastructure department we have a key role to play at a time of economic challenge, so there are big programmes to deliver in rail and road, big policy issues in aviation and maritime - all of which, if done well, will help the country weather the economic storm weíre in.
How is the civil service likely to change during 2012?
Most of us still have a cultural change to complete. We've changed size and shape, but not necessarily our mindset yet. We've got to move faster and be more challenging of ourselves and the way we work, putting ourselves firmly within the world we live in.
Which historical, mythological or contemporary figure would you most like to join for Christmas dinner?
I think I'd like to have Dumbledore and his phoenix for lunch. We all need a bit of magic for 2012, and we can discuss how we emerge brighter, stronger and ready for anything - even from the ashes (and if we got the timing right he can cook the turkey for me too!)