What happens when governance shifts from oversight to trust? Governance is often designed as an act of control - rules, oversight and mechanisms prevent failure. At DEFRA, this played out as disjointed processes that slowed decisions and eroded trust. Governance had become a gatekeeper rather than a guide. Approach • Facilitated co-design workshops, surfacing collective frustrations and possibilities. • Developed a trust-based governance model, reframing governance as a service that builds capability, not just checks compliance. • Introduced a Governance & Assurance Workgroup, embedding governance as living practice - adaptive, relational and rooted in trust. Impact • Reduced governance delays by 30%, shifting decision-making from hesitant oversight to confident, adaptive leadership. • Embedded shared accountability frameworks, fostering a culture where governance is no longer an interruption but an enabler of momentum. • Created governance systems designed to evolve with complexity, not resist it.
2023 - 2024