Like most people working in the public sector, I decided to establish a career here because I wanted to have a positive impact on real people's lives and the way the country is run.

My most recent move from the Cabinet Office to Haringey LBC was driven by a desire to be closer to the front line, working with communities to improve the lives of local people. But it was a particularly daunting move as I had no previous experience in local government and no professional contacts.