Why senior service ownership matters at Defra... and why now

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Photograph of a Dell laptop displaying a digital project management board with color-coded task cards in green, purple, and blue arranged in columns labeled with different project stages. The board includes user icons on task cards, indicating collaboration, and is viewed in a well-lit room with windows in the background.

Senior service ownership could help Defra become more service-led, efficient and user-focused. Laura Churchill shares what her team learned while testing the concept, why plans had to change, and how they’re building the right conditions for more joined-up, accountable services.

Services Week: What we are learning about introducing sustainability into service assessments

A man with a microphone addressing a room of people.

Sustainable Design Lead Ned Gartside looks ahead to Services Week 2026, where he will be leading a session to talk about Defra’s recent introduction of a 15th Service Standard point focused on sustainability.