The Civil Service World Podcast

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About the show

Latest episodes

• Crocodiles, missile alerts, and a search for the future of government: In conversation with Derek Alton

  September 25, 2026 · 30 min

  In February, former public servant Derek Alton joined us just before he set off on a year-long journey around the world. Since then, he's been to 13 countries and more than 20 cities, looking for the people driving change in government. In…

• It's Personal: When Actors Do What PowerPoint Can't

  July 20, 2026 · 21 min

  This episode of It's Personal has a slightly different feel: Jess hands the mic to co-host Jo, who doubled up as a roving reporter at KPMG's Citizen Experience Excellence report launch – an immersive night of theatre, citizen testimony and…

• It’s Personal: How do you make tax feel less taxing?

  July 6, 2026 · 35 min

  What does great citizen experience look like at scale? In this episode of It’s Personal, Claire Walsh and John Swift from HMRC’s Customer Experience Directorate join Jess and Jo to explore how the department is learning from industry and…

• The UK's strategy gap, and how to fill it: In conversation with Catherine Day

  June 12, 2026 · 35 min

  Catherine Day spent 25 years as a civil servant, including a posting as the UK's spokesperson in Iran and senior posts in No.10, Cabinet Office and the FCDO advising ministers and senior officials on national strategy, security and…

• It’s Personal: How AI is Transforming NHS Diagnostics

  June 5, 2026 · 28 min

  In the latest episode of It's Personal, created in partnership with KPMG, Jess Bowie and Jo Thomson continue their exploration of what makes great public services in the digital era. One in three chest X-rays in the NHS is now reviewed…

• In conversation: How can we protect frontline civil servants from being abused?

  May 14, 2026 · 22 min

  As cross-sector research shows rising levels of abuse towards customer-facing staff, this episode explores how one of government’s largest operational departments is protecting its frontline officials – while also improving services for…

• It's Personal: How does it feel to live in one of the UK's smartest cities?

  April 30, 2026 · 39 min

  In the latest episode of It's Personal, created in partnership with KPMG, Jess Bowie and Jo Thomson continue their exploration of what makes great public services in the digital era. Sunderland was named the UK's smartest city in 2024…

• Procurement as a launchpad for growth: In conversation with Rikesh Shah

  April 9, 2026 · 21 min

  The government spends nearly £430 billion a year on public procurement, or around 15% of GDP.  In this episode Suzannah Brecknell speaks to Rikesh Shah, chair of the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre, about how government can use…