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3 Lessons from Kamilla Kingstone
In September, we interviewed Kamila Kingstone, a former Fast Streamer who worked across departments, Number 10, and the Cabinet Office. She shared incredible insights into the mindset that helped her have impact and maintain her values in demanding environments. Here are the three key lessons we took from the session: 1. Act with Intention “What…
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David’s 3 Keys to Civil Service Career Success
Careers rarely follow a straight path, especially in the Civil Service. Our conversation with David Francis, former Senior Civil Servant and Director of the West London Alliance, was testament to that. At 18, David started his career as a chartered surveyor and has ended up leading huge national, regional and local programmes, including Help to…
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Demystifying Civil Service Behaviours: Scott’s 3 Lessons
Mindset and methodology were at the heart of our career conversation with Scott Fielding, a former Senior Civil Servant working as a consultant at Deloitte. Scott shared a candid account of how he cut through the complex language and process of Civil Service applications to secure new roles & promotions across six government departments. Here…
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3 Lessons from a Director General: Justin Russell’s Journey
Mindset and mission were at the heart of our recent career conversation with Justin Russell, a seasoned public servant with decades of experience across the Civil Service. As the first senior guest in the Unofficial Guides event series, Justin offered a candid and generous account of his journey – from academic beginnings to strategy roles…
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3 Career Truths Horatio Wishes He’d Heard Sooner
From public scrutiny to personal zigzags, Horatio Georgestone’s Civil Service story is anything but linear. As part of our Unofficial Guides event series, he pulled back the curtain on the messy, meaningful lessons that have shaped his leadership. The result? An honest conversation about growth, resilience and redefining what success looks like. Here are three…
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A Career in National Security: Pooja’s story
When Pooja Patel speaks, you listen. A civil servant whose career has been shaped by some of the UK government’s most pressing challenges – Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and national cybersecurity -Pooja’s story is one of grounded leadership, clear-eyed resilience, and fiercely held purpose. This conversation, hosted by Nathan White from The Unofficial Guide to…
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3 Career Lessons from Jen Upton’s Journey in Diplomacy
Introduction “My kids have the dubious distinction of being evacuated at six weeks old – twice.” Jen Upton’s story is filled with remarkable moments that show just how unpredictable a career in diplomacy can be. Jen Upton, a former diplomat with over 20 years of experience in the UK Foreign Office, shared her candid insights…
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How to Stand Out in Your Civil Service Career
Last month, I had the opportunity to share my journey as a civil servant with prospective and current public sector professionals. Reflecting on my decade of experience in the UK Government, I realised that my lessons are just as relevant today as they were when I started. The Civil Service is a place where impact…
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The 3 Lessons You Need to Learn About the Civil Service
By Harry Phinda, former civil servant in the Cabinet Office & Home Office Last month, I had the opportunity to share some of my experiences as a former Policy Advisor in government with prospective and current civil servants. Having navigated the Civil Service myself, I know firsthand how challenging the journey can be. Here are…
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The Unofficial Guides 