Alex Thomas

Alex is a programme director leading the Institute’s work on the civil service. He heads the team researching civil service reform, government accountability and the effectiveness of government departments. Alex is a regular commentator on radio, television and in the print media. 

Alex joined the IfG in January 2020, having previously been a director in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), leading teams working on Brexit and animal and plant health. Before that, Alex was principal private secretary to Sir Jeremy Heywood, cabinet secretary and head of the civil service. 

Alex worked in the Department of Health from 2015–16, the Cabinet Office on constitutional and electoral matters from 2010–15, and in Defra from 2003–10 on a variety of environment, climate change and agricultural policies.