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Impartiality in the Civil Service
Amanda Spielman, former Chief Inspector of Schools, describes how she approached the challenge at Ofsted “What does impartiality mean and how should it look in practice?” These questions constantly preoccupied me during my seven years as Chief Inspector of Schools,...
In conversation with… Helen MacNamara
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...
No, Minister: The long and lamentable shadow of Sir Humphrey
Alex Thomas looks back at the venerable series’ effect on our perceptions of the Civil Service Dorothy Wainwright is a minor character in the Yes, Minister universe, but she is one of the sharpest. We meet her in the first series of Yes, Prime Minister where...
In conversation with… Lord (Terry) Burns
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...