Post by Patrick Brown FCIPD

Tomorrow is my last day in the UK Civil Service. I’m moving on to join the NHS London Ambulance Service as Assistant Director of Organisational Development and Talent Management.  It has been a privilege to have worked with so many talented people from all backgrounds over the past 20 years. My journey started in the Cabinet Office, then DCMS working on amazing once in a lifetime projects like the London 2012 Olympics and Digital Switchover. After a brief spell with HMRC, I returned to the Cabinet Office implementing the new Fast Stream model which I'm extremely pleased to say resulted in the programme being awarded No.1 status in the Times Top 100 graduate employers list. Becoming HR Business Partner to the Government Chief People Officer and the CSHR function enabled me to develop a real understanding of the varied people issues across the Civil Service. Leading the Home Office D&I Reform and supporting the Department's Windrush Response was personally rewarding. Finally, working at NHS Test & Trace provided me with an opportunity to work with great civil servants, contractors and clinicians to save lives and protect the health of our country during unrivalled times. The Civil Service plays an extremely vital role within society and I'm incredibly proud to have worked in a such an important organisation. I will sign off by quoting the former Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service from 2005 to 2011, Lord Gus O'Donnell "A career in the Civil Service is one of the worlds best kept secrets"! To all my Civil Service colleagues - thank you so much for all the support you have provided me, it’s deeply appreciated! I have had an amazing time and learnt so much working in the Civil Service for the past 20 years.  I will start my new role with the London Ambulance Service on the 1st November 2021. The journey continues....