Author Profile

This week’s interviewee works for a council, giving policy advice and running projects with charities and the local community.

Permanent secretaries should set “clear targets for advancing diversity in their departments”, head of the civil service Sir Bob Kerslake said in a House of Commons lecture on Monday. Part of being a stronger civil service, he said, “will be being more diverse at all levels, fully harnessing the talent available to us”.

Permanent secretaries should be appointed by the Prime Minister (PM) on fixed-term four-year contracts, according to a report commissioned by the Cabinet Office and published today.

All new ministers should undergo compulsory training and yearly appraisals led by one minister in the Cabinet Office, according to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee’s report published today.

Permanent secretary appointment processes should result in ministers being given the right to choose their favourite candidate from a shortlist, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said last week – and Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, appeared to go still further in her response.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) spent years engulfed in painful criticism. Mark Grimshaw, who came in as chief executive two years ago determined to turn things around, tells Winnie Agbonlahor how he’s smartened up its act

The Social Value Act came into force at the start of this year, requiring public bodies to consider using procurement to produce wider benefits. Winnie Agbonlahor reports on a round table held to discuss the new law’s implications.

Dave Hartnett, the former second permanent secretary of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), has been accused by Margaret Hodge MP of having “no shame” after taking a job as an adviser to accountancy giants Deloitte.

The government has appointed six new crown representatives from the business world in order to help Whitehall departments get the best deal out of suppliers. Winnie Agbonlahor introduces the new recruits

Alex Ellis has just left his post as the FCO’s director of strategy to become ambassador to Brazil. On his last day in the job, Winnie Agbonlahor learns how he’s tried to encourage greater self-criticism in a department not known for its self-lacerating humility.

For years, governments have run pilots exploring ways to improve local autonomy and coordination between services at the sharp end. Winnie Agbonlahor reports on the latest results – and the prospects for radical change

A nurse caring for patients in the community warns that fast-growing workloads are ratcheting up the pressure on her hard-pressed team. Winnie Agbonlahor reports.

Departments are breaking down integrated IT contracts, and bringing in ‘SIAMs’ to manage their new supplier systems. Winnie Agbonlahor reports on a round table held to discuss how this new model can be implemented.