News - Reports

Speaker Meeting with Howell James CBE, Permanent Secretary for Government Communications

Tuesday 16 May 2006

Howell James addressed a packed meeting at CIPR headquarters in St James' Square.

He spoke about the process which had led to the creation of his post, which gives him overall responsibility for the strategy, coordination and effectiveness of government communication across Whitehall. The creation of the post had been one of the key changes recommended by the independent review of government communications led by Sir Bob Phillis, Chief Executive of the Guardian Media Group.

He talked about how the demands of government communications were much greater than they used to be, and how the communications function of government supports the policy function. He highlighted the value of clear separation between 'political' communication on behalf of the party in power and civil service-led government communication on behalf of everybody.