The Government Skills College of Experts is a national network of leading academics and practitioners brought together to provide independent, high-quality advice to Government Skills, part of the Cabinet Office. The College will strengthen the government’s access to cutting-edge research, helping to inform policy, improve leadership capability and ensure that public sector learning and development is grounded in robust evidence.
Members of the College are drawn from a wide range of disciplines and can be called upon to contribute to priority research topics, advise on evidence gaps, and support the design and evaluation of programmes aimed at developing the skills of civil servants and public sector leaders.
Professor Silvester is a Professor of Work Psychology at Loughborough Business School and an internationally recognised expert in leadership and political work. Her research focuses on leadership emergence and effectiveness in complex environments, with particular emphasis on politics, public service and diversity.
She has led pioneering cross-party research on the skills required for effective political leadership, supported the development of fair and robust candidate selection processes within UK political parties, and worked with the House of Commons to examine organisational culture and trust. Her broader work also addresses diversity in leadership and the psychological factors that influence performance and effectiveness in senior roles.
This appointment reflects Professor Silvester’s longstanding contribution to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world practice. Through the College of Experts, she will contribute her expertise to support evidence-informed decision-making across government, helping to shape how skills, leadership and learning are developed within the civil service.