How do we restore trust between ministers and civil servants?
In this episode Jess Bowie talks to Tom Brown, author of The Mind of the Minister, about the unique relationship between senior civil servants and politicians. Tom explains how officials and ministers can build close and productive working relationships, what happens when it all goes wrong, and what he's observed about relations between civil servants and Labour ministers a year into the new government's term.We also find out how he went about writing his book, and which of the many senior civil servants and ministers he spoke were the hardest to pin down.Host: Jess Bowie, editor-in-chief, Civil Service WorldRecorded and produced by Podot
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29:37
It's Personal: Reimagining Public Services Around Citizen Needs
In the first of a new series, in partnership with KPMG, Jess Bowie and Jo Thomson explore what makes great public services in the digital era.In this episode Jess and Jo share some of their own experiences of interacting with the state, we hear from former HMRC permanent secretary Jim Harra about how the UK's tax authority has been putting citizens at the heart of its services, and we discuss the three Rs of customer service.Hosted by Jess Bowie, editor-in-chief of Civil Service World, and Jo Thomson, partner – customer transformation at KPMG.Recorded and produced by Podot.Â
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24:02
CSW Events: How to scale AI in government
All government departments have been tasked with prioritising AI adoption to drive innovation and improve productivity, but with only 22% leveraging automation and 17% using machine learning, AI uptake remains in its infancy.In this episode, a panel of government and industry leadersshare insights on overcoming common roadblocks on the path to AI transformation, such as budget constraints, outdated systems, and skills gaps. They offer advice on how to scale AI from pilot to full implementation and discuss real-world examples of successful projects improving efficiency and services.Discussion hosted by Jess Bowie, editor-in-chief of CivilService World.
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1:02:09
CSW events: Unlocking rehabilitation
Reoffending costs the economy £18bn annually so finding innovative solutions is critical. In this episode, CSW brings together a panel of experts from across the prisons and rehabilitation landscape to discuss new approaches that can achieve meaningful change.Hosted by Jessica Bowie.
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1:02:05
Changemakers: Robots and Agentic AI in government
Continuing our new Changemakers series, Suzannah talks to Ben Lovatt, deputy director of the Contact Engagement Platform at HMRC, to find out how the agency is using robots and automation to make services better.We also speak to Duncan Brown, head of software engineering at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s AI incubator; and Owen Barry, Capita’s managing director for central government, about how automation, robotics and agentic AI are reshaping work across the public sector – and what it will take to go further.This episode is sponsored by Capita.Hosted by Suzannah Brecknell, editor-in-chief, Civil Service World.Edited and produced by Podot.
UK