by Peter McDonald | Jan 14, 2026 | Articles, Delivery, Interviews, Leadership and Reflections, Sixth Edition
John Manzoni, business executive-turned Civil Service CEO, talks to Peter McDonald about his time in government and change from the inside In 2014, the Civil Service appointed its first Chief Executive, John Manzoni, a joint billing with the then Cabinet Secretary,... 
by Peter McDonald | Oct 28, 2025 | Articles, Fifth Edition, Interviews
In this edited summary of an extensive discussion, Peter McDonald talks to the former Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office about the art of diplomacy, organisational resilience, the importance of collaboration across... 
by Peter McDonald | Jun 2, 2025 | Articles, Fourth Edition, Interviews, Leadership and Reflections, The Top Articles of 2025
In this edited summary of an extensive discussion in Spring 2025, Peter McDonald talks to one of Whitehall’s most senior civil servants of the last 15 years about the lessons she took from being at the centre of government, and having a ringside seat during Brexit and... 
by Peter McDonald | Dec 10, 2024 | Articles, Interviews, Leadership and Reflections, Second Edition
In this summary of an extensive discussion in the autumn, Peter McDonald talks to the former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury about responding to crises, working with Ministers, solving problems and other reflections from a multifaceted career Terry Burns... 
by Peter McDonald | Aug 8, 2024 | Articles, First Edition Sneak Peek, Leadership and Reflections, Other featured articles
Peter McDonald explores the opportunities and challenges of a smaller government Standing on an exposed common in rural Carmarthenshire, deep in blanket bog, debating with local farmers and agricultural specialists in the driving rain, was the moment I realised...
