What if boldness were an explicit value of the civil service?

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what it takes to get difficult and meaningful things done. Why it’s hard, exhausting and incredibly rewarding to make progress. What kinds of values and behaviours can help make a team…

Losing one is a misfortune. Two?

Ah yes, carelessness. Losing two is carelessness.

The internet has changed what’s possible in public services. That only happens if the shape and culture of Whitehall reflects the new reality. Today feels like a victory for those who believe a…

Saving the tigers of Whitehall

There about as many tigers in the wild as there are senior Civil Servants in the UK. This is my favourite…

10 things policy can learn from product

Six months ago I made a career pivot from policy making to product management. The roles…

How do you smooth the path to a digital NHS?

Late last October, the Department of Health announced that Dr Bob Wachter, author…

Trousers speak louder than words

The ‘geeks in jeans’ trope is dull and false.

Setting standards that stick

Use them to empower the disempowered.