The Official History of the Cabinet Secretaries

This book is the official history of British Cabinet Secretaries, the most senior civil servant in UK government, from the post-war period up to 2002.

Ian Beesley served in the Cabinet Office, H.M. Treasury and 10 Downing Street, where he was Head of the Efficiency Unit under Margaret Thatcher, and he has a PhD in History from Queen Mary University of London.

1. To make Ministers appear more competent than they could possibly be 2. The Craftsman - Sir Norman Brook 1947-62 3. The Mandarins' Mandarin - Sir Burke Trend 1963-73 4. Iron fist in Velvet Glove - Sir John Hunt 1973-79 5. The Ultimate Courtier - Sir Robert Armstrong 1980-87 6. Captain of the First XI - Sir Robin Butler 1987-97 7. Mission Impossible - Sir Richard Wilson 1998-2002