‘It was a year of hard choices’: NCA director general Lynne Owens reflects on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
NCA director general Lynne Owens. Photo Louise Haywood-Schiefer
What are you proudest of your department or agency achieving in 2020?
The National Crime Agency has continued to protect the public and shown great agility as criminals flexed their methods through covid; we have protected children from sickening abusers, seized drugs, firearms and illicit cash, targeted people traffickers and identified significant cyber criminals. Our results speak for themselves – check out our social media platforms to understand more.
‘Covid has meant we’ve had to adapt our reforms, but we’re still driving change’: Companies House s Louise Smyth on the impact of 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Louise Smyth Companies House chief executive
What are you proudest of your department or agency achieving in 2020?
I am most proud of the difference Companies House has made to support the economy by helping directors focus on running their businesses in such challenging circumstances. We implemented automatic filing extensions and alternative filing methods and customers have told us what a difference it has made to them. The team at Companies House has done all of this with great pride and empathy while dealing with huge changes in their own lives. This is the Companies House spiri
NAO chief Gareth Davies on Covid: ‘We adjusted to fully remote auditing without compromising on quality’
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Gareth Davies, comptroller & auditor general, National Audit Office
What are you proudest of the National Audit Office achieving in 2020?
Thanks to the skill and commitment of my colleagues and the cooperation of departments, we have delivered a timely programme of reviews of government’s spending on the key elements of its pandemic response, allowing Parliament to base its scrutiny on up to date and detailed analysis. Our focus is on identifying the learning for the rest of this pandemic and future emergencies. We’ve done this whilst also reporting on other vital areas, such as the preparations at the border fo
This year has thrown us lots of challenges around ensuring people can work from home’: Civil Service Disability Network chair Sue Reeves on 2020
2020 was a year unlike any other, with the coronavirus pandemic upending the work of government and changing how we live our daily lives. Senior figures from across the civil service tell us how the unprecedented 12 months affected them, and look ahead to 2021
Sue Reeves Chair Civil Service Disability Network
What are you proudest of government achieving in 2020?
Over the past year members of the civil service have had to change the way we work dramatically. Having to work from home, communicate by virtual conferencing and deal with the pandemic has been quite a shift. As part of this the Civil Service Disability Network has also changed but we, like much of the civil service, have taken this opportunity and grown in strength and size. We now have meetings remotely, we have more sub-networks and we are linking up with other diversity
‘A key challenge will be how to ensure that the promotion of race equality and inclusion is embedded across reforms’: Civil Service Race Forum chairs review 2020 and look ahead to 2021
As 2021 approaches, senior figures from across government reflect on their highlights and challenges of 2020, look ahead to the next 12 months and share their favourite festive memories
Sharon Lo, Justin Placide, and Grace Moronfolu (co-chairs and deputy chair of the Civil Service Race Forum respectively).
18 Dec 2020
Sharon Lo, Justin Placide, and Grace Moronfolu (co-chairs and deputy chair of the Civil Service Race Forum respectively).
What are you proudest of the network achieving in 2020?