My career story: Tom Sadler
Job title and department or organisation
Tom is Head of Smart Meter Statistics at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. His role matches the role of Grade 7 Operational Researcher on the Analysis Function Career Framework.
Grade
Tom works at Grade 7 level.
Profession and entry route
Tom is a member of the Government Operational Research Service (GORS).
Tom joined the Civil Service at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade on the GORS Fast Stream programme.
Tom’s career path
I finished my PHD in 2009 and went on to complete a Post Doctorate in Ireland. Very few companies were recruiting at the time, because of the financial crisis. I found academia quite stressful because of the lack of job security, so I started applying for jobs and ended up joining the Civil Service in October 2012. I joined HMRC on the GORS Fast Stream working as an Operational Researcher. I learnt a lot during my time at HMRC, including working on the Reform of Stamp Duty Autumn 2014 to close a tax loophole for stamp tax on shares, which has since brought in over half a billion pounds in revenue.
In August 2015 I moved to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and helped to monitor the banking industry and support small businesses. I then joined the Office for National Statistics as a Principal Operational Research Analyst at Grade 7 level in December 2016. One of the projects I worked on was the Economies of Ale which was a detailed study of the pub trade. The project showed that the pub trade was consolidating and not declining. It was a great project to lead. During my time at ONS I was also seconded to the BBC News as a Data Journalist during the General Election 2017, which was a great experience. I loved working at the BBC. There is a fantastic working culture, and it was a great privilege to have this opportunity. There is now a regular BBC Secondment Scheme, which I would encourage anyone to apply for.
In February 2019 I moved to the Cabinet Office to work as a Principal Analyst at Grade 7 level for the Prime Minister’s Implementation Unit. I worked in the Home Affairs Team for the first year, where I helped to prevent homelessness for refugees who had recently been awarded asylum. It was great to be able to help so many vulnerable people.
At short notice I then joined the Health Team at the end of 2019 to fill a staffing gap. During this post I worked on the COVID-19 dashboard and worked on the very first draft at the start of the pandemic. It was amazing to see the whole of government pull together during the pandemic.
In June 2021 the Prime Minister’s Implementation Unit transitioned into the Number 10 (No.10) Delivery Unit where we led post-pandemic planning, working on what the world would look like as we began coming out of the lockdowns. The work I did here supported a £10 billion health spending increase which I am proud to have been part of. My time working at No.10 was the highlight of my career. Being able to work in No.10 is an enormous privilege and a weighty responsibility. I would strongly advise that any Civil Servant should take the opportunity if it arises.
After 3 years in the centre, I was keen to find an alternative role. So in February 2022 I moved back to the ONS as Head of Environmental Statistics Development. In August 2022 I then moved to my current role in the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero working Head of Smart Meter Statistics. I currently work four days a week.
The flowchart shows Tom’s career progression from Civil Service entry point to his current role. It shows the step by step journey Tom has taken across departments within the Civil Service to achieve his current grade and experience. Enlarge the flowchart.
I am working to build a Reproducible Analytical Pipeline for smart meter statistics.
I want to enjoy my current role and further my experience of working across the Civil Service. I like telling stories with data and doing work which positively influences people’s lives, and I like doing those things together.
I am proud of:
- closing a tax loophole in Autumn Statement 2014 on stamp-tax-on-shares which brought in over £500 million — I have helped an enormous amount of people with that piece of work
- helping to secure an extra £10 billion of health and social care spending during my time in No.10, working in the most challenging of circumstances
- helping vulnerable people during the asylum project — my work helped to keep people alive and with roofs over their heads
The pace of work in No.10 was a great challenge. I needed a lot of personal resilience to do it, but it is very rewarding to do. I also found working in HMRC was a cultural challenge as it is very different to academia.
Tom’s advice
It is important to get a range of experience across the Civil Service. Cross departmental working is incredibly helpful to get a breadth of experience in analysis and beyond. Although having a role in central government can be tricky, it is really worth doing if you get the opportunity. Anyone can apply, so give it a go!
This career story was published on Tuesday 1 August 2023.