Conrad Smewing
Biography
Conrad is Director General of Public Spending in HMT. He joined the Treasury in 2003 and has held several roles including Press Secretary and then Principal Private Secretary to the Chancellor from 2014 to 2017, working for first George Osborne and then Philip Hammond; Director of Public Spending, where he was responsible for a number of Spending Reviews; Deputy Director for Fiscal Policy, where he advised on consolidation following the financial crisis; and Deputy Director for Corporate Finance, Business, Innovation and Skills, where he was involved in student finance reform and the sale of the Royal Mail. He has also worked at UK Government Investments, on the sale of assets left over from financial crisis rescue, and most recently at the Department for Levelling Up where he was the Director responsible for the planning system.
Director General, Public Spending
Responsibilities include:
- ensuring the delivery of HM Treasury’s work programme, in particular supporting the government’s objectives to ensure effective control of and value for money in public spending and promote sustainable economic growth
- leading the Treasury’s spending relationship with No 10 and the Cabinet Office
- supporting spending directors and teams in their relationships with integral Whitehall departments and with the think tank and finance communities
Joint-Head of the Government Finance Function
The Joint-Head of the Government Finance Function (GFF) co-leads and develops the community of finance professionals across government, to help to maintain the highest standards of financial management and ensures that public money is spent efficiently and effectively.
Key responsibilities include:
- Setting and delivering a GFF strategy for the development of the Government Finance Function.
- Overseeing the professional development and performance of the GFF, including the Government Finance Academy curriculum and the annual continuing professional development plan.
- Supporting departments’ talent management, succession planning and recruitment for the most senior financially qualified roles in government.
The Joint-Head of the GFF is accountable to Parliamentary Select Committees, including the Public Accounts Committee, for the continuing improvement of financial management standards, skills and expertise in government.