Careers, Policy and the Future of Government

As part of the EDGE Townsend Lecture series for Sixth Form, I had the opportunity to interview Joe Hill (Policy Director at Re:State). As Policy Director and former senior official in both the Treasury and the Home Office, Joe offered a level of insight that was both candid and grounded in real experience.

Speaking to Joe, he offered advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the civil service. He implored pupils to write about their genuine interests and focus on producing clear work that shows real depth and perceptive thinking. He also noted that taking any opportunity to publish your ideas matters just as much as formal credentials, as they demonstrate passion, which is highly sought after in the highly competitive civil service industry.

In his response to my question, “In your Home Office roles, especially heading Law Enforcement and Data Policy, what did you learn about how government can realistically counter AI-driven disinformation without overreaching? And what capabilities does the state still lack?” he noted that disinformation is not a new issue, but that AI makes it far more convincing and disruptive than anything that came before it. The government’s aim, he argued, should be to build more widespread digital capability across public services while protecting democratic values.

Another question I asked him was, “Where are the biggest practical opportunities to improve government delivery over the next five years?” In response, he highlighted the need for better procurement, more effective sharing of data between governmental departments and a civil service that is more skilled and held to a higher account.

For any pupil who wants to contribute to public life, his message was simple. Read widely, write often, think boldly and finally remember that there is no single path into government.

By Krish B