by Carrie Bishop
At Christmas this year I’ll be leaving FutureGov.
I’m planning a move to the US to pursue something exciting (but sort of top secret for now). Those who know me personally know how much I love the US, so this really is an amazing opportunity for me.
Of course this news is incredibly sad as well — I’ve been with FutureGov for the last eight years and it’s been such a difficult decision to move on. I joined a tiny social media company helping councils learn how to embrace tools like Twitter, and I’m leaving a 40-strong digital design agency with offices in London and Australia, and an impressive roster of local and central government clients. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved: Hundreds of meals cooked for older people through Casserole Club, digital strategy work that has helped councils transform their thinking, state-wide roll-outs of Patchwork in Australia, and countless redesigned services.
Most of all I’m proud of the team and the culture we’ve built. We’ve consistently been lucky enough to work with people who are original thinkers, who can see the future, and who work tirelessly to make it happen. We’ve managed to find people who have a sense of humour, a lack of ego, and all the smarts. I’ve learned from FutureGovers past and present, and I’m always so proud to see our alumni show up at our parties. FutureGov has something special — it hasn’t always been easy, but I’m proud of our ability to listen, reflect, and adapt the company.
I’m not even sure what to say about how much I’ll miss Dom, my business partner and brother from another mother. It’s been a crazy amazing journey that I definitely couldn’t have done on my own. He makes me braver, smarter and more fun. I know he’s going to take FutureGov from strength to strength and I’ll be there cheering him on every step.
I’ll remain on the board of FutureGov so Dom hasn’t seen the last of me, it’ll just be a more spreadsheety sort of capacity.
FutureGov really is a remarkable company that has not only done great work, but has changed local government in a major way. Our name is known in the wider sector beyond our clients, and we have a reputation for bold thinking, digital know-how, deeply empathetic design, and tangible delivery. We don’t just write reports, we make change actually happen. We can be challenging, but if we’re forthright it’s because we care passionately about what we do. I’m so proud of that, and of our clients who are willing to change their ways of working because they share the vision of digital public services designed around the people that use them.
As for me, I’ll be bringing that passion and energy to the US. There are many challenges there, and I can’t wait to start helping solve them.
It seems fitting to sign off with my usual message — the final words on every presentation I do:
Never. Ever. Give. Up.
