I am an experienced civil servant with 25 years experience of working in central Government and its agencies. I am a creative strategic thinker able to set, articulate and deliver a vision, working across a variety of partnerships. I have excellent leadership, management, operational and interpersonal/communication skills, as well as considerable experience of strategic management and setting the direction for a range of teams. I am an experienced manager and have a track record of taking on management challenges and turning them round, including managing teams through periods of change. I understand the importance of value for money, and have experience of managing a range of budgets, including overseeing budget and benefits for a major departmental change programme. I understand the role of Parliament and have seen it from both ends - as Principal Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords, and as an official steering a Bill through Parliament. I have experience of coordinating visits - in the UK and internationally, and have represented the UK on a number of international visits, including the inauguration of the Brazilian President. I understand the importance of stakeholder engagement and building effective strategic partnerships within Government and with the private and voluntary sector. I have significant experience of leading secretariats, and establishing effective working relationships with independent Chairs. I am an experienced project and programme manager, am practitioner qualified for both PRINCE2 and Managing Successful Programmes, and am an accredited Gateway Assurance Reviewer.