Support for private office teams
All civil servants need to understand how ministers think and what their priorities are.
![A front cover for a report on the private office. The main image is of a Whitehall street sign.](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait_desktop/public/2023-05/strengthening-private-office-cover.png?itok=vq5-4CU1)
Quick guides for private office teams
18 APR 2023
'How to' guide
![](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_card_desktop/public/2023-04/lucy-frazer-1504x846px.jpg?h=dd1b06b1&itok=lH8tGTs9)
Preparing for a new minister
What to think about before a new minister arrives in the department and once they are in post.
18 JUN 2024
'How to' guide
![](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_card_desktop/public/2023-10/polling-station-1504x846px.jpg?h=49cad0f4&itok=ngbxU9jS)
Private office: preparing for a general election
There are some important ways that private office teams can approach election preparation.
19 JUN 2024
'How to' guide
![](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_card_desktop/public/2024-06/house-of-lords-2AGG5FW-1504x846px.jpg?h=dd1b06b1&itok=rb1lJTj9)
Supporting Lords ministers
The support a Lords minister needs from their private office team is very similar to what’s needed by ministers in the Commons.
IfG Academy team
Senior leadership
![Tim Durrant](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width_desktop/public/2022-12/tim-durrant-326x326.jpg?itok=cit5JKFm)
Tim Durrant
Programme Director
Senior leadership
![Dr Catherine Haddon](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width_desktop/public/2022-12/cath-haddon-326x326.jpg?itok=z4FFAIMy)
Catherine Haddon
Programme Director
Team
![Nicola Blacklaws](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width_desktop/public/2022-12/nicola-blacklaws-326x326.jpg?itok=e0nnVuu_)
Nicola Blacklaws
IfG Academy Researcher and Recruitment Manager