How can government be transformed?

Watch the event

Listen to the event

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 

All of our public events are available to listen to afterwards on the IfG EVENTS podcast.

Keir Starmer has said that “nothing less than the complete re-wiring of the British state” is needed for the public sector – and in particular the civil service – to deliver the government’s agenda. So what should this transformation look like – and how can it be made to last?

As the government’s former lead Non-Executive Director, Michael Jary CBE worked closely with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Cabinet Secretary, the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer, as well as other senior civil servants across government, and has an unparalleled view on what works in Whitehall – and beyond – and what needs to change. In a speech at the IfG, he set out his views on what needs to change – and how this change can be embedded throughout the civil service – before taking part in a panel conversation.

Alongside Michael, we were be joined by:

• Josie Cluer, Partner, People Advisory Services at Ernst & Young LLP
• Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
• Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Quin, former Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office 

The event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government.

Read a transcript of Michael Jary's speech.