James Clarke (QM 1995-02)
After a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Leeds and a Masters in International Security from the University of Birmingham (and a couple of gap years...) James Clarke (QM 1995-2002) moved to London to join the Civil Service in 2009. Over the following decade, he worked in seven Government Departments, including HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, providing policy advice to Ministers on a wide range of social policy issues. These included the welfare system, childcare and the response to the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower – not forgetting Theresa May’s ill-fated plans to introduce more grammar schools, which he briefly led.
The pinnacle of James’ time in Whitehall was spending the last two years in 10 Downing Street, working in the Policy Unit under first Theresa May and then Boris Johnson. He provided advice to the Prime Ministers on welfare, pensions, disability and social justice. His role was non-political, but involved close contact with the PMs’ political teams – Dominic Cummings et al – during an unprecedented and unrelenting period in British politics.
In February of this year James was ready for a new challenge and a change of scene – and found both by moving to New Zealand with his fiancée Mette and their Labrador Henry. He (James, not Henry) is now the Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand’s fourth biggest city. The interview panel were evidently impressed when he pointed out, tongue in cheek but factually, that in Downing Street he was responsible for a welfare budget that is bigger than New Zealand’s entire GDP!
His time in post so far has been responding to the COVID-19 crisis – in particular seeking Government investment to act as a stimulus to get the local economy moving again. He looks forward to seeing more of New Zealand when he’s allowed to leave his house...
Whilst he realises not everyone will want to move to New Zealand, James would heartily recommend a career in the Civil Service to any recent (or less recent!) alumni thinking about career options. Any aspiring civil servants should feel free to contact him through the school should they have any questions.