Event
17 July, 2023
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Designed to deliver – from ideas to outcomes

Reform is thrilled to launch our new project, ‘Reimagining Whitehall: A manifesto for delivery’.

For decades, consensus has grown that the Whitehall system, despite its many strengths, needs transformative reform. To tackle current crises and prepare for future challenges, a more diverse, dynamic, and delivery-focused government machine is needed. 

As we head towards a general election, Reform, in partnership with Newton Europe, will explore the practical steps any government must take to ensure it is equipped to deliver. We will consider what structures and capabilities are needed to secure Whitehall’s position as a world-leading institution. This will include considering the skills, tools and insights needed to ensure government can turn ideas into outcomes, the corporate functions needed to execute, and the role that cognitive diversity and an innovation mindset can play in successfully addressing the huge challenges facing the nation. 

Through a five-part series of high-level events with Whitehall leaders and experts, we will identify existing best practice as well as opportunities for systemic reform. We will capture this in a collection of timely outputs, culminating in an impactful ‘Manifesto for delivery’ to inform an incoming government.  

This is the exciting launch event for our series, which we will identify existing best practice as well as opportunities for systemic reform that can secure a more diverse, dynamic, and delivery-focused government machine. 

While much is made of Whitehall’s policymaking capabilities, it is in its ability to translate policy priorities into outcomes that lies the true test of its efficacy. In an increasingly complex environment, with rising demand and tight budgets, delivery excellence is key. Yet successive reports and reviews have identified weaknesses in Whitehall’s ability to execute. This can be seen in scope, budget and deadline creep, as well as in programmes that fail to achieve the desired objectives.   

Building a government machine with the right structures and capabilities to enable effective delivery is no simple task – particularly when many of the biggest challenges facing government require cross-departmental action. Clarity of purpose, high-quality and actionable real-time data, and appropriate tracking and performance metrics all matter, as does building the right team of talents. 

Reform are delighted to be joined by Dame Dr Emily Lawson DBE, Head of the No. 10 Delivery Unit, to discuss how government can place delivery at the heart of its work.