Permanent secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
In a year of political and economic change, what was your highlight of 2010?
There were two personal highlights for me. The first was managing through the election period [as permanent secretary at the business department] and the arrival of the new coalition ministerial team led by Vince Cable. It was fascinating to be in one of the departments with a Lib Dem secretary of state. BIS staff handled the whole process incredibly well, producing five different versions of the welcome brief – such was the uncertainty. We all learned a lot from the experience.
The second highlight for me was succeeding in July in the competition to become permanent under-secretary in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, as a result of the political change which led to Peter Ricketts moving to become the national security adviser. So in many ways 2010 was a year of big surprises for me – just as 2009 had been, with the creation of BIS. Will 2011 be calmer?
What is the biggest opportunity that coalition policies have created for the civil service?
The very fact of the coalition has created opportunities for the civil service. The fact that all policy now has to be debated by ministers within the coalition, and the restoration of a more formal committee structure in Whitehall, is good for civil servants and the policy process.
The other good thing is that the civil service has proved its worth so convincingly over the past year in the way it has managed unprecedented political circumstances. The focus of this government on an active foreign policy across the whole of Whitehall, given leadership by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, creates big new opportunities for my department. We are focused on taking them.
What is the most challenging management task facing the civil service now?
I think we all know the answer to that. The challenges are to reduce the workforce, live within smaller budgets, maintain morale and manage and meet demands and expectations which remain high. I think the civil service has so far responded admirably, in an environment in which pay, pensions and compensation terms have all been targeted. But of course it is going to be tough.
What’s the key to succeeding in that task?
Stay positive. It’s a real privilege to work in the FCO, whose people do amazingly interesting things all around the world. We have to remember why we work here; and keep up our morale, vision for the future and sense of purpose. And it’s important to get recognition for what we do from ministers and in the media.
What was the best Christmas present that you’ve ever given or received?
My eldest daughter was born on 27 December 1993. Does that count? If not, it’s a close call between the socks and the hankies!