This International Women's Day, as we mark the theme of Give To Gain, we want to celebrate something that often goes unsung: the extraordinary contribution of women working across the UK through Places for Growth – and the difference they are making to people's lives every single day.
Places for Growth is transforming where and how the Government works. By moving Civil Service roles out of Westminster and into communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it's bringing decision-making closer to the people it serves and unlocking talent that might otherwise have gone untapped. Hundreds of women are now doing remarkable, impactful work from cities, towns and regions right across the country.
'Leading across Property in the Cabinet Office and FCDO from Birmingham has shown me that you don't need to be in Whitehall to drive nationally significant projects. By giving more leadership opportunities outside of London, we gain a reality-based perspective that ensures our work is shaped by the talent found right here in the West Midlands.'
– Lynda Rawsthorne, Director Property, Capability CO and Strategy & Interim Estate Director FCDO
The Government's missions; from kickstarting economic growth and building an NHS fit for the future, to breaking down barriers to opportunity and making Britain a clean energy superpower, don't happen in Whitehall alone. They happen in offices in Glasgow, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and beyond. And women are at the heart of delivering them.
Whether working on planning reform, health improvement, skills and employment, or the green energy transition, women in Government are not just supporting these missions, they are leading them.
‘Working for the centre of UK Government from the centre of Glasgow means I am helping government to be more connected to communities, enabling policy to reflect the needs and opportunities that I see here day to day’
– Marion Francis, Deputy Director, Cabinet Office 2nd Headquarters
Places for Growth isn't just about geography. It's about giving a voice to local experts and give people the opportunity to work and thrive without having to leave their community. By giving that flexibility and investing in talent across the UK, it gains something powerful in return: a more diverse, more resilient, and more effective Civil Service.
‘Working from Darlington, has meant I am part of a vibrant community of Civil Servants who are all driven by improving things for citizens in the North of England - for me this means we have a community of public servants who work together to solve problems and tackle issues, sometimes breaking the mould on how you might do things'
– Alison Wilson, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber and Head of Place for the North East
This International Women's Day, we celebrate every woman contributing to a stronger, fairer, more connected United Kingdom – wherever in that United Kingdom they happen to be.
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