Annual Delegate Conference 2025 catch up
Catch up on the addresses by guest speakers at this year’s Annual Delegate Conference.
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman used his speech to argue that civil servants are “hungry for reform” and called on the government to commit to “a clear plan for improved public services and a people plan to match” with a particular focus on pay
Journalist and broadcaster Lewis Goodall discussed the relationship between ministers and civil servants and the future of ‘mission-led government’ with delegates, predicting that the government’s appetite for experimentation may grow over time, having started out a year ago with a “pretty blank” plan.
Discussing the issue of civil service reform Gould told delegates: “The civil service is an amazing constitution, but it can get in the way. It’s deeply embedded and set up for a slower, less complex world, more hierarchical. Departments are far too siloed when all the challenges we face are deeply complex”.
Latest news
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Education Minister Paul Givan must provide clarity over Israel visit – FDA NI National Officer Robert Murtagh
The FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has called on Minister of Education Paul Givan to urgently clarify the use of departmental resources for a recent trip to Israel.
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No.10 briefings against Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald “stink of political cowardice”, Penman says
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman has condemned briefings from No.10 sources that Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald had lost the confidence of senior figures in Downing Street and would likely be replaced by January next year.
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FDA’s inaugural Insights into Public Service Leadership conference takes place in Belfast
The FDA Northern Ireland section held the inaugural ‘Insights into Public Service Leadership’ half-day conference and networking on Thursday 16 October 2025 for members and non-members in NI.