Behind the door at No 10: A masterclass with Helen Lederer CBE

​​Edyta works at Starlight Children’s Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to ensuring no child suffers trauma from their healthcare experiences. This role is part of a Charity works leadership development placement, through which she gained interest in public policy, children's healthcare and EDI. She graduated from the University of Essex with a BA in International Relations and Modern Languages. During her studies, she completed an internship at the Polish Embassy in Paris and UK Data Archive, and volunteered as a Climate Educator for Young Climate Warriors. The Patchwork Programme now gives her a unique view into British politics, offering an angle she never imagined she would see.

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Like many of my fellow Patchworkers, I am interested in a career in public service, a profession we view not merely as a job but as a calling driven by purpose. A recent masterclass with Helen Lederer, kindly hosted at 10 Downing Street, offered us an honest and invaluable insight into the realities of leadership and the principles that underpin a fulfilling professional life within the Civil Service.

From Private to Public

Navigating a career transition can be a daunting and risky endeavour, but a conversation with Helen Lederer revealed that it can also be a profound journey of self-discovery and purpose. Her shift from the private to the public sector after 25 years was not just a change of job, but a reorientation of her professional identity. Lederer explained that while she was successful in her private sector roles, it wasn’t until her transition to a position at No. 10 that she gained a new perspective on professional fulfilment. From this vantage point, she realised that her skills were now serving a purpose far greater than commercial gain, and she could clearly see how her previous work environment’s focus on profit and competition had, at times, overlooked the vital importance of diversity and inclusion. This transition was not merely a change in job title but a profound reorientation of purpose, as she articulated how her role, while a small part of a vast machinery, allowed her to contribute to something greater than herself. This realisation – that her work was for the benefit of people – became the core motivation she found lacking in the private sector.

The Commitment to People: EDI

A central and recurring theme was Lederer’s profound dedication to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). As a recipient of the Order of the British Empire for her exemplary work in this field, her insights were invaluable. She rightly pointed out that while both the public and private sectors have much to learn from each other, the goal of inclusion, regardless of the sector, is to attract and retain the best possible talent. Her perspective on fostering inclusive environments is not merely a professional strategy but a personal ethic. This resonated with me deeply, particularly in my own experience in the charity sector. As a recent entrant to this field, it has become apparent that there is a significant lack of diversity at the leadership level, often failing to mirror the communities it serves. To hear her speak from years of experience with such genuine conviction was incredibly encouraging. She underscored the vital point that true leadership extends beyond technical skills. It is fundamentally about fostering a culture where every individual can thrive and contribute their full potential. This is a principle she lives by.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Helen Lederer for her candid and insightful masterclass. The session was a rare opportunity to peer behind the curtain of government, and my fellow Patchworkers and I are immensely grateful for the insightful conversation and willingness to reveal a glimpse of a world few get to see.

Inside Downing Street: A Masterclass with Helen Lederer CBE

Ethan James is a Politics and Philosophy student at the University of Birmingham with a keen interest in the intersection of justice, equality, and identity and how these foundational philosophies shape decision-making within our society. He is a passionate advocate for educational equality, firmly believing that breaking down barriers to opportunity at all levels of education is essential to building a truly meritocratic society. This commitment has driven him to champion widening participation initiatives at his university, alongside tutoring both at Secondary and Sixth form levels. Through the Patchwork programme, Ethan has gained valuable insight into the breadth of the civil service and the diverse pathways available to drive meaningful change.

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One of the main concerns I share with many fellow Patchworkers about pursuing a future in politics, particularly within Westminster, is the perceived lack of diversity. As a person of colour without existing connections in the political sphere, the sense of disadvantage can often feel overwhelming. However, Helen Lederer’s Masterclass at 10 Downing Street was a powerful reminder that change is possible and happening. Helen is the Head of Corporate Services at 10 Downing Street and has seen the tenancy of multiple Prime Ministers across her 13 years in the role. Alongside her role, she emphasises the importance of diversity in ensuring that the best people are placed in the right roles, which brought a sense of hope and encouragement. Her openness about her own background and the humility she displayed throughout the session were both admirable and deeply inspiring.

Helen’s Unusual Route to Downing Street:

Helen told us about her unusual route to politics and working within Downing Street, sharing that she, in fact, dropped out of her A-levels and didn’t attend University, which innately put her at a disadvantage, and isn’t something you would expect from someone who essentially runs the building at the heart of UK Politics. Having worked within the private sector for some years, she attributes her career progression to those who put her name forward for roles that she didn’t even think she ticked all the boxes for. And this was a resounding theme across the Masterclass, in the fact that you may not think you’re the complete right person for a role, but there’s always room for challenge and growth. A challenge she took on when applying for the role as the Head of Corporate Services (despite primarily applying to see inside Downing Street).

The Challenges of Leadership:

Helen’s role within UK politics, although not public-facing, is highly important, as she oversees the internal operations and functions of Downing Street. Her oversight and influence extend to HR, finance, and security, facilitating the effective and efficient running of the Prime Minister’s Office. One of the main aspects of her job is leadership, and the challenges of managing a complex organisation with multiple interconnected teams. She highlighted that one of the most demanding aspects is supporting others through stress. And in response, she says that she deals with this by getting to know every individual as a human being first, which helps her understand their needs and allows her to support them more effectively.

Another significant challenge she discussed was media scrutiny. Despite working behind the scenes, Helen has had to face public criticism for various incidents. While not directly involved, she witnessed the public outrage sparked and the subsequent impact on the morale and functioning of Downing Street. She has admitted that a difficulty within the public sector is the constant exposure to public perception and media judgment. Nevertheless, she emphasised the importance of doing the best job possible, staying grounded, and always being willing to ask the hard questions and learn from difficult experiences.

Final Thoughts:

Helen received her CBE for her promotion of Inclusivity and Diversity within the Public Sector, and is a staunch believer in the importance of a government that represents the society it serves. Her Masterclass offered a unique insight into a role not commonly known within the civil service but massively important, and I can speak for the rest of my cohort in saying it was very inspiring. I am thankful to Patchwork, Helen Lederer, and our chair, Danielle, for enabling such an enriching and impactful meeting.

Sarah is an incoming finalist reading Law at SOAS, University of London. She is dedicated to

helping others and supporting the development of fellow students, having served as

President of the SOAS Law Society during her second year. This role enhanced her

leadership skills and ultimately led to her involvement with the Patchwork Foundation.

With a background in English, Arabic, and French, Sarah has a strong interest in connecting

with people across cultures. Her multilingual upbringing has strengthened her passion for

diversity and inclusion, and inspired her interest in international law, particularly its role in

diplomacy and global policy. She hopes to build on her studies and experiences to make a

meaningful contribution to society.

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Attending this masterclass with Khalid Garousha was a powerful reminder of what genuine

leadership looks like in practice. The session opened with the speaker sharing reflections on

his career, decision-making, and the future of law. It was a privilege to gain insight into life

at the heart of a leading law firm, shared through the lens of Khalid’s own experience and

journey. Throughout the discussion and Q&A, his thoughtful responses and attentiveness

reflected a deep respect for open exchange and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.

 

Leadership as a Journey

One of the most striking insights from the masterclass was Khalid’s reflection on his own

career path. He explained that leadership was not something he actively pursued, but rather

a role he unexpectedly stepped into. Initially unsure about the position, he decided to give it

a chance, and ultimately discovered that he thrived in it. What stood out was the way he

described leadership not in terms of titles or status, but in the quality of the interactions he

had with people. For him, the highlights of the role were the relationships and shared

experiences he built along the way.

 

This people-centred perspective resonated deeply with me. It served as a reminder that the

legal profession, despite its technical demands, is fundamentally about people. His

openness about imposter syndrome, something many of us in the cohort related to, made

his journey feel even more authentic. I was also struck by how he spoke about family,

traditions, and values as anchors that keep him grounded, serving as a reminder of the

importance of balance, humility, and staying connected to what truly matters.

 

Decision-Making with Perspective

Another key takeaway from the masterclass was Khalid’s approach to decision-making at

the executive committee level. He stressed the importance of standing by your choices,

even when the outcome is uncertain. Not every decision will be the right one, but each

offers an opportunity to learn and grow. What matters is the ability to keep things in

perspective, recognising that most decisions in professional life are not matters of life or

death, and that dwelling on mistakes can be more damaging than the mistake itself.

This lesson particularly resonated with me because of my own experience serving as

President of my university Law Society. In that role, I often had to make decisions that

affected others, sometimes without having complete information or certainty about the

outcome. Learning to take responsibility, adapt when things did not go as planned, and

move forward constructively was one of the most valuable aspects of the position. Hearing

Khalid reinforce this mindset affirmed the importance of resilience, perspective, and

integrity in leadership.

 

Beyond the Masterclass

Attending this masterclass was not only an inspiring experience, but also a meaningful

opportunity to reflect on my own journey and aspirations. The lessons Khalid shared on

leadership, decision-making, and the importance of people in the legal profession reinforced

values I aim to uphold as I continue my studies and beyond.

 

What stood out most was Khalid’s authenticity, a quality that underpinned every story and

piece of advice, and one that I hope to carry into my own future career. His blend of humour

and humility created an inclusive and sincere atmosphere, showing that true leadership is

not defined by titles or authority, but by the ability to build trust and meaningful

connections.

 

Ultimately, the masterclass was a powerful reminder that the most effective leaders inspire

others by staying true to themselves, leaving impressions that last far beyond the moment

itself.

Finding Your Voice: A Skills Session with Mohammad Karim

 

My name is Oluwakayode Junaid, and I am a History and Politics student at the University of Warwick. I have a strong interest in public policy and government affairs. I find that the empowerment of young people, through seminars and opportunities like those with the Patchwork programme, helps build confidence in their desired fields. This leads to an impactful diverse political landscape that considers the opinions of the next generation of leaders and brings them into the conversation.

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Starting Strong

The skills session with Mohamad Karim was very impactful; in this session, Mohammad shared key tips on how to communicate effectively. It encouraged me to gain a deeper understanding of how to illustrate myself in a variety of public settings. What stood out to me was to start strong in order to set the tempo for the remainder of your speech/presentation, since it immediately engages the audience. The use of hand gestures provides even more visual stimuli to make sure the audience doesn’t lose focus. This also resonated with me, specifically, as a reminder to always appear confident and calm, even when facing a big crowd of people.

Starting strong in a speech also increases your momentum and can serve as a confidence booster in itself, thus setting the tone for the rest of your presentation.

Art of Persuasion

I also appreciated how Mohammad mentioned the importance of persuasion. I learned that for politicians, persuasion is a vital part of their rise to power, as they need to be able to communicate their ideas and policies in a manner that captures public approval and recognition from voters and other politicians alike. Their ability to communicate with a vast number of individuals ties into their personal brand and how well they can convey their ideas with the public. This can be seen in the electoral successes of Prime Ministers such as Tony Blair between 1997 to 2005.

The art of persuasion can also be used for one’s own personal benefits. For example, in anyplace of work if you are able to portray your talent and communicate that effectively to your bosses these skills  can help you obtain promotions and recognition. 

Simplicity 

I learned it is always important to know what you’re talking about, drawn from Pathos (facts) and you don’t always need to present them in a robotic manner, instead allowing yourself flexibility to reach out to the audience and engage them so they don’t lose interest. This includes personalising your speech and being vulnerable. 

Giving a well-rounded speech or presentation doesn’t necessarily mean perfection. Here I learned that the ability to change your delivery style based on the audience further enhances your skills as a great communicator. 

Message to the speaker: “Thank you Mohammed for the wonderful insight and tips on public speaking and breaking down each way to enhance our confidence skills”

Finding Purpose in the Unexpected: Lessons from Wendy Chamberlain MP

Ayo is a final-year Politics and International Relations student with a strong interest in corporate governance and public policy. I’m passionate about how young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, can shape public life and lead with integrity. I’m currently part of the Patchwork Masterclass Programme, and each session continues to broaden both my perspective and confidence.

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The masterclass with Wendy Chamberlain MP was deeply insightful,  not just because of her achievements, but because of how openly she shared the uncertainties that came with her journey.

What stood out most to me was how she never planned to become an MP. As someone navigating career decisions with a desire to serve but not a rigid roadmap, this felt incredibly reassuring. Wendy’s background as a police officer and her later transition into politics challenged the idea that political leadership must follow a conventional path. It reminded me that our lived experience, even when it doesn’t look like the “traditional” route, is often the best preparation.

Her comparison of MPs to GPs really stuck with me. Just like general practitioners, MPs need to know a bit about everything, often learning as they go. That honesty struck a chord with me. There are moments when I feel I need to have everything figured out, from career goals to policy interests, but hearing Wendy speak reminded me that growth often happens in motion. You don’t have to know everything; you just have to show up willing to learn.

It was also powerful to hear her speak about the challenges she faced coming into Parliament just as the country went into lockdown. Being new to such a high-pressure role while still “not knowing the ropes” was something I could relate to in my own way, stepping into spaces that feel bigger than you, while trusting that you’ll grow into them.

Thank you to Wendy Chamberlain MP for her candour and humility and for showing us that leadership doesn’t always come wrapped in certainty. And thank you to Patchwork for creating the space to hear stories like this ones that affirm we belong in the room, even when we’re still learning the ropes ourselves.