Sign in

Andrew Greenway

@andrewgreenway.bsky.social
687 followers 162 following 23 posts

Founder, Public Digital. Co-author of Bluffocracy. Still Countdown's most rubbish champion.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 17/09/2026
There are lots of big (& good!) ideas on 'rewiring the state' - but we can't assume the tech underpinning it will just work & we need to bring the public in A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate - and democratic Delighted to write for @futuregovforum.bsky.social with @jenitennison.com
futuregovforum.substack.com
A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate – and democratic
By Gavin Freeguard and Jeni Tennison
0149
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Phil Tinline @philtinline.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Government has long tended to worry about doing things - while assuming that not doing things is 'cautious'. How's that been working out? Latest @thetimes.com on why new legal guidance is good news. Based on my Power Failure report for @futuregovforum.bsky.social www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
thetimes.com
To really get things done, ministers have to take risks
Caution is itself dangerous, and we need our politicians to show the same boldness as Attlee and Thatcher
0145
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Foreign Affairs @foreignaffairs.com · 21/08/2026
Politicians’ failures to deliver on promises “not only erode confidence in democracy; they also undercut sovereignty.” Read @pahlkadot.bsky.social and @andrewgreenway.bsky.social on how to fix democracy:
foreignaffairs.com
Democracies Need Creative Destruction
How to make government work again.
043
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
rumon carter @rumon.ca · 19/08/2026
@andrewgreenway.bsky.social & @pahlkadot.bsky.social have teamed up again on another piece about the case for - and approaches to - change in public institutions. Greenway foreshadows the argument and its antecedents here: andrewgreenway.substack.com/p/the-depart... As ever, a recommended read.
andrewgreenway.substack.com
The Department of Now
Rewiring the state requires institutional rebirth.
132
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 04/08/2026
I've written a long blog post about AI Agents and the need for those running services to prepare - technically, operationally, commercially, strategically, legally and in terms of policy. AI Agents could be a properly huge deal. There. I wrote it. loosemore.com/2026/08/04/k...
loosemore.com
Know Your Agent: Why you should act now, to avoid playing catch-up later
Back in March, I was beaten by the bins. I’d spent a happy few evenings (and a great many tokens) trying to build a simple web app: share any UK address, find out which bins to put out, and w…
96119
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 21/07/2026
So. Farewell then, DSIT (7 February 2023 – 20 July 2026) For all the department’s challenges, I’m not sure it’s a great idea to abolish it 🧵
A screenshot of the DSIT page on GOV.UK. Below the GOV.UK banner and DSIT logo, text reads 'This organisation is changing'.

You can say that again. But we currently don't know how it's changing. Or indeed why
33015
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Mamdani's focus on state capacity represents a form of civic education about what govt does in an age of bureaucracy-bashing. He also connects improving state capacity to his core policy goals on housing, childcare, consumer and worker protection. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/mamdani-in...
Why is Mamadani so invested in the nuts and bolts of administration? He closed his speech announcing the PIT crews with this:

In the words of Jeff Gordon: I’ve never believed in luck. If you perform well, execute, have a good race car, and a good race team, you’re going to increase your chances dramatically of having better results. City Hall is building a team that performs well and executes well. You better believe that our chances of delivering well for New Yorkers are increasing dramatically as well.
436778
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 15/06/2026
I'm mulling the need to update my definition of digital, given everything. www.linkedin.com/pulse/updati...
linkedin.com
Updating my definition of digital
Back in 2016 I published the definition of digital that I’d been using for several years. Digital: Applying the culture, processes, operating models & technologies of the internet era to respond to pe...
064
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
How does a small central programme become a national movement for public service reform? I've written about what next for Test, Learn and Grow - and what it will take to scale a way of working across every corner of the state. 👇 andrewgreenway.substack.com/p/from-metho...
andrewgreenway.substack.com
From method to movement
The second act of Test, Learn and Grow
055
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Great thread from Ciaran. Genuinely world class state capability. In a new(ish) institution.
083
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
James O'Malley @jamesomalley.co.uk · 13/04/2026
New YIMBY Pod in which @mjrobbins.com and I get EXTREMELY MAD about the West Yorkshire Tram delay, following @noahvickers.bsky.social reporting. Plus we speak to @andrewgreenway.bsky.social about his phenomenal essay on the Civil Service "permanence crisis". www.abundancepod.com/p/im-mad-as-...
abundancepod.com
I'm mad as hell about a tram
Plus why to fix the civil service, we need to build something new
176
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Martin Stanley @ukcivilservant.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Report after report recommends Civil Service Reform - but it never happens. Here's why:- ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/civil-serv... Includes references to writing by @andrewgreenway.bsky.social , @samfr.bsky.social & @iandunt.bsky.social
ukcivilservant.substack.com
Civil Service Reform: The Chapter 10 Problem
David French recently drew attention to what authors and editors sometimes call the ‘Chapter 10 problem’.
166
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
James Ball @jamesrball.com · 23/02/2026
I think @philtinline.bsky.social has hit in a really important idea here – working out why we keep getting trapped in doom loops is going to be crucial in the next few years. Working out how to escape them, even more so.
1167
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
James O'Malley @jamesomalley.co.uk · 19/02/2026
If you read one thing today make it this. Fantastic read.
193
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
The Civil Service has a new Cabinet Secretary at a time where the bureaucracy faces a stark choice between reform and Reform. It needs a new story for state capacity, a Northcote-Trevelyan review for the C21st, and new institutions to break inertia. andrewgreenway.substack.com/p/in-permane...
andrewgreenway.substack.com
In permanence crisis
An argument for state capacity and civil service reform
1126
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Very good post about a very bad thing.
010
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Mark O’Neill 🐻 @radiobeartime.com · 29/01/2026
Bad It's unusual to come across a truly bad new digital service these days. People now praise the online passport service for speed and ease of use, the same for Jobseeker's, voter registration. Most online public services delivered since the establishment of the Government Digital Service are at…
bearoneill.com
Bad
It's unusual to come across a truly bad new digital service these days. People now praise the online passport service for speed and ease of use, the same for Jobseeker's, voter registration. Most online public services delivered since the establishment of the Government Digital Service are at least functional and many are best of breed. So it is interesting to find yourself trying to use a brand new online service which is a complete failure.
285
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Louise Casey blunt on grade inflation in the civil service - compares decisions grade 5s make now to those fast streamers used to make…
22011
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
I am writing a policy pamphlet. Here are all the ways to demonstrate I don't really have a policy answer, that I need to avoid: a. You call for a "national conversation or debate" b. You suggest that what is needed is “a change in culture” 1/
2226057
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
James O'Malley @jamesomalley.co.uk · 03/07/2025
Universal Credit is a model for how to do government right (FREE TO READ!) takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/universal-...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
Universal Credit is a model for how to do government right
I'm actually serious.
2278
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Caitlin G. DeAngelis @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
you know things are going well when they break out the turnip photos
photo of a red shopping basket filled with turnips, under the headline: 
If you’re worried about food tariffs, adopt a frugal mindset and cook smarter
Learn to shop for groceries like a thrifter and work on eliminating waste
By Sheryl Julian Globe Correspondent,Updated April 7, 2025, 7:21 a.m.

caption: The big question is, writes Sheryl Julian, are we expected to remove all the pleasures from the table and turn the nightly dinner into a feast of locally grown turnips (above) and leafy greens?Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
1239337536152
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Jim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 31/03/2025
Obviously it's Reddit and that attracts Reddit people but I do think it's funny how "a simple single government website and functioning passport service" are things people genuinely feel quite patriotic about and are such easy wins if you roll that out even further. www.reddit.com/r/AskBrits/c...
reddit.com
From the AskBrits community on Reddit: In what ways is the UK more developed than most countries?
Explore this post and more from the AskBrits community
2011615
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Ciaran Martin @ciaranm.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
My favourite bit of the whole Carswell piece 👇 Niche, for sure, but to anyone who has actually been to a single one of the weekly meeting of permanent secretaries, let alone more than 100, the idea that this meeting takes all the major public policy meetings is utterly hilarious
4142
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
📣OUT NOW – Impactful Devolution 02: Local govt for the digital era Last week the PM set out plans for digital change across Whitehall. Our new report with @publicdigital.bsky.social sets out how digital can drive reform in local govt. Read it here ⬇️ www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/imp...
187
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
POPVOX Foundation @popvoxfdn.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
On 3/24, join us & @niskanencenter.bsky.social for a discussion on how to address the critical but often overlooked issues with implementation across the Executive branch. Feat: @marcidale.bsky.social @pahlkadot.bsky.social & @andrewgreenway.bsky.social www.popvox.org/events/imple...
popvox.org
The Implementation Gap: Turning Legislative Intent into Executive-Led Outcomes — POPVOX Foundation
A discussion focused on going beyond traditional legislative training to address the critical but often overlooked issues with implementation across the Executive branch.
023
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
James is always worth reading, and this longread is particularly worth the time, especially if you're an optimist about governments taking state capacity seriously.
3123
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Dan Hon @danhon.com · 02/03/2025
You should know that a big part of 18F's work was to make sure multi-million to multi-*hundreds*-of-millions dollar contracts at fed *and* state level didn't go to shitty enterprise IT consultancies that *repeatedly* delivered tech that didn't work, was late, or didn't even do what it needed to
5846351190
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
steve @visitmy.website · 14/02/2025
Pat McFadden MP is stood at a lecturn saying “Test it. Fix the problems. Change the design. Test it again. Tweak it again. The most important question isn’t, ‘How do we get this right the first time?”, It’s ‘How do we make this better by next Friday?’”
0136
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Hats off to the 10% - TEN PER CENT - of the UK population who can summon up some strong opinions about King Stephen of Blois
020
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Kate Bevan @katebevan.com · 03/02/2025
My proposal for this grey February Monday is that political reporters should be abolished. They're far too addicted to the psychodrama, they don't have expertise in any policy areas, they bigfoot their expert colleagues on any story that involves an MP, and this creates too noise and little light.
32561103
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
‘We have to get over the feeling that any failed pilot is a waste of money. It is not, as long as you've learned something by doing it.’ NAO chief Gareth Davies on the need for innovation in public services and how the NAO will support this www.thetimes.com/article/9e71...
thetimes.com
UK public services ‘too expensive and not good enough’
As demand outstrips budgets, the head of the National Audit Office calls for Whitehall to take risks and innovate — but to learn quickly from its failures
13414
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
A truly dreadful piece of writing that neatly demonstrates why he had no respect at all from the rest of the senior civil service.
42577118
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 21/01/2025
Loads of interesting stats in this just-published State of digital government review. Not least that 50% of digital and data recruitment campaigns failed in 2024. What matters now are crunchy actions to follow the crunchy analysis. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
State of digital government review
2368
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Ben Terrett @benterrett.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
At GDS for launch of the digital government blueprint. Will try and live post on this thread 🧵
35911
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Dafydd Vaughan @daivaughan.uk · 12/01/2025
I've written this thread up as a blog post with some more details: Why some DVLA digital services don't work at night dafyddvaughan.uk/blog/2025/wh...
dafyddvaughan.uk
Why some DVLA digital services don't work at night
Every few months or so, somebody asks on social media why a particular DVLA digital service is turned off over night. Rather than answering it every time, I’ve decided to write this post, so I can poi...
58941
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 07/01/2025
This is miserable behaviour, @transportforlondon.bsky.social Miserable. traintimes.org.uk/map/tube/
traintimes.org.uk
Live London Underground / bus maps
710347
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Chris Fleming @e17chrisfleming.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
NHS App back in the news and I'm not one to miss an opportunity to reheat my favourite graphic. (Other icebergs are available) What's fascinating in the app's case is that it probably needed a simple 'solution-first' strategy to provide the political drive to do the alignment in the background.
The image is a visual metaphor using an iceberg to illustrate a point about software development. 

The Iceberg:

Above the Water: We see a sleek yacht, representing a simple, user-friendly feature in the NHS App. This is what's immediately visible and accessible to the public.

Below the Water: The vast majority of the iceberg lies hidden beneath the surface. This represents the complex infrastructure, systems, and processes that are required to make that seemingly simple feature a reality. It includes things like:
Re-wiring the NHS's infrastructure
Adapting the operating model
Prioritisation decisions

The image conveys the idea that while a software feature might appear simple on the surface, a significant amount of work and complexity is hidden behind the scenes. It emphasises the importance of prioritising and managing these underlying factors to ensure the successful delivery of the feature.

Additional Details:

The text "Prioritisation matters" highlights the critical role of decision-making in determining which features to build and how to allocate resources effectively.
The image also has "public.digital" branding.
35417
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 06/01/2025
The unmissable double act of @pahlkadot.bsky.social and @andrewgreenway.bsky.social published this @niskanencenter.bsky.social report on re-invigorating state capacity just before Xmas. Deliberately US centric, leavened by some UK flourishes. public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
The how we need now: a capacity agenda for 2025 and beyondpublic digitalpublic digital
Report by Andrew Greenway and Jennifer Pahlka
144
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
David Lawrence @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
I really enjoyed this IFP Statecraft interview with @andrewgreenway.bsky.social & @pahlkadot.bsky.social, which is surprisingly positive about the potential for UK state capacity. We need more of this! Full interview here: www.statecraft.pub/p/what-can-t...
071
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Katherine Wastell @kwastell.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
There's been recent focus on hiring designers from big-name tech companies (lnkd.in/eEjxq8EQ). Their skills are impressive, no doubt. But in today’s climate of cost-saving, organisations need designers with the hard-earned experience of a transformation. www.katherinewastell.com/blog/designi...
katherinewastell.com
Designing on a cold, rainy night in Stoke — Katherine Wastell
Over the years in the teams I’ve led and supported, I’ve observed a unique skill-set in the designers with transformation experience. They’ve learnt how to do design in challenging, high-pressure envi...
53111
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Amy is consistently one of the most interesting and thoughtful thinkers/writers about the civil service. V good thread
251
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Dave Rogers @daverog.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Wondered what 'test and learn' means? I've written this to unpack and explain it public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
Just what is 'Test and Learn'?public digitalpublic digital
A blog explaining the concept of Test and Learn in organisational change
22216
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
James Plunkett @jamestplunkett.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Went to the speech this morning. A few thoughts. TL;DR - I thought it was really good, but of course lots of tricky challenges to work through. 🧵
1616072
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
James Higgott @jiggott.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I just finished shortlisting 215 applications for the NHS App Lead Product Manager role. My back hurts. My eyes hurt. My brain hurts. But here are some things I noticed plus some tips in case you ever want to apply for a role like this in future.
108723
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Chris Fleming @e17chrisfleming.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
Patient records and the NHS App are in the news again. Me and @mattstibbs.bsky.social wrote down some thoughts. TLDR: the perfect architectural approach won’t solve for fundamental environmental challenges that need addressing. public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
Patient records and the NHS Apppublic digitalpublic digital
Technical, design, commercial and policy challenges with putting medical records in the hands of NHS patients
23518
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 16/10/2024
I've written up what we mean when we say 'Be Bold'. public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
What we mean when we say “Be Bold” — Public Digitalpublic digitalpublic digital
0126
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 10/10/2024
'Taking the time to do things right isn’t anti-innovation – it is what is required to get deep-rooted change in social systems.' My piece on AI and public services in this week's @newstatesman.com www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...
newstatesman.com
Tony Blair is wrong – AI will not magically solve our public services
Too many people might be left out of its revolution.
34440133
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 03/10/2024
Some news about Data Bites… After 5 years, 49 events, 199 presenters, five PMs, 10 Cabinet ministers for data in govt & more bad jokes than any of us would care to remember, Data Bites is leaving @instituteforgov.bsky.social I’m delighted to say it has a new home at… @publicdigital.bsky.social!
An image - bright pink dots on light pink background, with dark grey text reading 

data bites

https://public.digital/data-bites-series
34715
Reposted by Andrew Greenway
Richard Pope @richardpope.org · 06/09/2024
TLDR: Public services could and should work much harder for the public. But that won’t happen through more design thinking or liberal sprinklings of AI. It won’t come through better “data sharing” either, which = photocopying data. Or just digitising services as they exist today.
22213
Andrew Greenway @andrewgreenway.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
Wrote some words about how universities need to out-run the giant snail, or risk a soggy descent into mediocrity. www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/chang...
timeshighereducation.com
Change is coming, whether higher education likes it or not
Universities may talk about digital transformation, but are yet to translate it into action. Here’s how to start building the momentum for change, instead of standing still
064