Pete Lawrence, Director for GFIE, retires in May after 43 years in the Civil Service.
We caught up with Pete to ask him a few questions about the highlights and challenges of his career. He shared with us a few experiences, and skills he had gained over the years, and also left us with some clues to help navigate a successful work life…
What made you join the Civil Service in the first instance?
I got an opportunity in the then Employment Department in London, working in HR. Couple years further down the line, here we are.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career?
There are so many, but the obvious one is getting an OBE on the Queen’s birthday in 2014, going to Windsor Castle in December 2014, and having a chat with the Queen for a few seconds.
There are a lot of other memorable experiences - working with the Cabinet Office taught me a lot about how the government works, how the Cabinet office works, how working with ministers and the Commission works.
Finally, it’s GFIE! as it is one of those roles where we make a real difference to members of the public and the impact of the Schemes.
What were the greatest successes/ achievements in your time at the Civil Service?
I think for me, it is the fact that the space where I am, provides the opportunity for people to do better even when they leave my team. It is really satisfying to see that people achieve and progress their career.
What will you miss most about working for the Civil Service?
Working with the people I work with, the range of things I have worked on, the roles that I have worked, the experiences I have gained will be drawn upon for the rest of my life, and I will miss them all as it will be totally different. But, I will have to move on and enjoy my life.
What led you to set up the Going Forward Into Employment scheme?
GFiE started in Civil Service Local following a conversation about how we could provide more opportunities for prison leavers in the Civil Service. The first Civil Service Commissioner, another Senior Civil Servant, and I had to work it out through use of the Recruitment Principles exceptions 2 and 10, which we developed and launched in 2018. At this time, GFiE was only operating in Civil Service Local, we then had a conversation about moving it to another part of the Cabinet Office. I worked hard to take responsibility for GFiE, as others feared it might not be a success. It took a lot of effort to convince the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office at the time, which we did and developed it. On September 19 2019, I became formally responsible for it.
What have you found rewarding/challenging about (GFIE)?
The direct impact that it has for candidates, the people around them, and the impact of people’s perception about the Civil Service has been rewarding. The challenges have been that of winning the hearts and minds of other civil servants to engage with it and consider taking on candidates through GFIE. Partly, because of the stigma around people with convictions, for example. We have however, made good progress by getting engagements which we can only scale up.
What is your advice for young Civil Servants looking to remain and progress their Career within the Civil Service?
I would say seize every opportunity that presents itself, this will help you boost your career, while taking risks, you make your own luck! You know that if it works, you are happy, and if it doesn't, then it is a process. Also, believing in yourself makes a huge difference.
What skills acquired from working in the Civil Service do you think will be really useful in your retirement, and how?
I think a lot of skills I have gained over the years will help, such as my excellent understanding of Data, Finance, Leadership, and I am hoping to use these skills in a way that will help people. I will be the Head of a Charity; can’t say which one now as it has not been announced, I will also look for other small roles to take on that won’t take a lot of my time, I will just like to continue to use these skills to make real differences in people’s lives.
Do you have any plans for your spare time in your retirement?
Yes, a lot! I will be spending more time travelling around the UK, I have not really explored a lot of cities, which I am looking forward to. I will be walking a lot as well as driving my Landrover around. I’m looking forward to the freedom and ability to do what I want and when I want. I will also be spending quality time with family, and grandchildren, but not taking up a full time babysitting role.
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If you would like to know know more about GFiE Life Chance Schemes, or are a civil servant and want to discuss providing life changing opportunities to individuals by using GFiE to recruit into vacancies you have coming up, please get in contact with the GfiE Team at GFiE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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