Working to make government more effective

Previously Catherine was a programme director overseeing the Ministers programme and then running the IfG Academy programme for its first three years. As part of the IfG Academy team, Catherine delivers workshops and other development sessions for ministers, their private offices and other civil servants, as well as the IfG's pre-election preparation for government programme with opposition politicians.

Catherine has brought an historical angle to the Institute’s commentary. Catherine is an expert commentator on the role of ministers, the constitution, No.10 and the Cabinet Office, preparation for government by political parties and the constitutional rules around general elections, and the history of government and civil service reform. 

Before joining the Institute in November 2008, Catherine was a lecturer on security and intelligence history; taught contemporary British history; and worked as a historian and researcher, including for the Cabinet War Rooms’ Churchill Museum and for various publications and media outlets.  

All work

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13 AUG 2026 Explainer

Government reshuffles

A reshuffle is when government ministers are moved between posts.

11 AUG 2026 Explainer

Special advisers

Special advisers (spads) are political appointees hired to support ministers.

24 JUL 2026 Explainer

Law officers

There are three UK government law officers: the attorney general, the solicitor general and the advocate general.