5 quickfire questions with Annette Cox
This feature is part of our Analysis in Government Month 2023 series. You can find more articles and resources on our Analysis in Government Month hub.
Annette Cox, Head of the Central Research Evaluation and Monitoring team in the Department for Business and Trade, answers our 5 quickfire questions about her career so far.
What is the best thing about your job?
Seeing the difference that analysis is making to Department decision-making. In a central team we see a huge range of different products and impacts. I also enjoy working with a really diverse range of great colleagues.
What motivates you?
Changing culture and behaviour in using evidence to shape policy.
What does “making an impact” mean to you?
Making better decisions. Impacts can be hugely varied, but being able to have greater confidence in why we are doing what we do in government is really exciting.
What was your worst job, or first job, and what did it teach you?
I stuffed envelopes in a temporary job for a week when I was 18. I learned it takes a certain kind of stamina to do a repetitive task really accurately…
If you could go back in time and give your 16-year-old self just one piece of advice, what would it be?
Sit less and move more – your back will thank you for it in the decades to come!
Annette Cox