Join our free online event 29 April 2026

How can effective interchange between central and local government be enhanced? 

To deliver the best outcomes for the public, we need a skilled workforce that can cut across and understand how and where change can be most effective. As a regulator, the independent Civil Service Commission plays its part in making sure the Civil Service can bring in the skills and talent it needs to deliver.

In line with the Commission’s commitment to working across systems to promote the use of secondments, as stated in its 2025-27 strategy, the Commission’s upcoming event will focus on the benefits of people moving between local and central government and how to make greater movement possible.

The Event

With the launch of the GovXchange programme and the “Places for Growth” programme across government, we’ll be discussing how interchange helps bring new perspectives, drives greater understanding and collaboration of shared challenges and can offer exciting new career development opportunities. 

Join our panel discussion from 2 – 3pm on 29 April to hear from Gisela Stuart, First Civil Service Commissioner, Neil Wooding, Civil Service Commissioner, and Helen Jenkins, Assistant Chief Executive, Local Governmnent Association about the benefits and barriers in interchange between local and central government.

You will also hear from Tom Riordan, Northern Growth Envoy (former Chief Executive of Leeds City Council and Second Permanent Secretary of DHSC) and Katharine Hammond, Chief Executive, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (former Director General for Strategy in GCHQ) who have made the switch between local and central government.

The online event is free and will take place on 29 April 2026, 2-3pm.

Who can attend?

Everyone! This event is open to both civil servants and members of the public.

Join us if you are interested in a career in the Civil Service or Local Authority. You can hear all about these careers and how they benefit each other.

Or if you are interested in hearing how secondments from either organisation could benefit your team and the work you deliver for the public!

Sign up now

Questions can be submitted via slido.