The Baxendale Report commissioned by the Cabinet Office to explore the issues around Senior Civil Service external hires shone a light on some of the cultural, structural and process barriers that exist.
Through careful and thoughtful investigation, speaking to many leavers and current senior people who had built their career externally to the SCS, several themes and opportunities around culture, recruitment, induction, talent management and retention became apparent.
The subsequent recommendations were then, in the words of the new Chief People Officer for the Civil Service used as a ‘blueprint’ for the future talent strategy and development of the Senior Civil Service.
“Catherine Baxendale’s report really resonates as someone who left the civil service – and then returned as an “external hire”. As her report makes clear, the civil service needs to do more to get the most out of people it recruits in from outside – to their benefit – but also to the benefit of the civil service and the ministers and public it serves.”
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow Institute for Government
“This report is clear, cogent, and so revealing. The author’s insights, based on her thorough investigation, will prove invaluable for any reform the Service will undertake. Exemplary work.”
Cristina Odone, Journalist and Commentator