Head of Profession: Jessie Evans

Jessie Evans is the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Head of Profession (HoP) at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

My biggest work-related accomplishment

My biggest achievement so far is working at the Low Pay Commission and advising commissioners on their recommendations for the National Minimum Wage rates, especially during the 2008 recession.

If I could only produce one piece of work next year

I would work to modernise and automate our statistical releases. It would upskill the analytical community and make us more efficient, giving us more time to produce more insightful analysis.

Why I chose a career in statistics

I loved mathematics from a very early age. I completed my degree and really wanted to use of what I had learnt. I had completed a large number of statistics modules, alongside pure maths, so the GSS advert in the Hobson’s Directory of graduate vacancies caught my attention. I travelled to London from Bristol to sit my Civil Service Selection Board in 2002 and the rest is history!

The best skills I bring to the job

In more junior roles I was able to use my strong attention to detail. Now I would say it is my focus on inclusion and wanting to help my colleagues by introducing people and joining things up.

One thing I wish I knew before I joined the Civil Service

I wish I had known that it was going to be my career for life. But it probably wouldn’t have changed anything!

The biggest influence on my approach to work

I was previously the National Statistician’s private secretary, so I would say that John Pullinger has influenced me the most. John had time for everyone and treated them all with the utmost respect. He knew how to prioritise ruthlessly and unblock things. He also took his work-life balance seriously.

In my spare time

I used to play tag rugby in London. I now play with my little boy and our new family friends.

My favourite way to relax

I enjoy doing online yoga, then falling asleep during the savasana.