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To Ange, Liv and Christina - 3 months of blood sweat and tears to design a word doc with some boxes on. Which we then ruined by making it into an Excel. Go us 🤣

Seriously though - we did good ❤
Px

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Thanks to Zara for her NCFH intervention - made me LOL so much
Phil

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Well done everyone you have all achieved so much and to get the Programme to this place in the circumstances of the last year is amazing. And it does feel like one team and as a new person you don’t notice the different departments!  Thank you all for a such warm welcome to me and others, it feels like I have been here longer than I actually have. Hope everyone has a well-deserved and restful break.

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There are no words... you will be SO missed!! Amy x

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Thanks for being an official 'work friend'... here's to many more after work drinks and dinners out together in the new year! Amy x

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Thank you for always being there, for always offering to help out and lend a hand where you can. I'm always so grateful for working with you and your can do attitude.

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Who describes themselves as sellotape? You're always useful. You're the kind of sellotape that has one of those holders so it's always in the right place. I love working with you, and I'm so impressed by how knowlegable you are, and so quick at solving issues. You're definitely the kind of sellotape that's always sharp and ready to go! Thank you for being such an excellent team lead. :D Zara

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Well done for all of your amazing work on the DPCHR - driving everything forward in a really tricky time.

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You've hit the ground running and become an integral part of the team. You certainly are the glue that keeps our little team on track. Thank you

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Thanks so much for all of your work on the programme board - you did a great job and there's been such a smooth handover!

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You were so lovely to work with and made all of our joint commissions and tasks so much easier :) It was great to work with you all and so nice to meet you at our Away Day!

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I am so thrilled you're to have you as my office buddy in Manchester. Thank you for the desk chat, and for being kind, funny, and supportive. You're FAB! Zara

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THANK YOU for everything you do (and continue to do) - often very detailed that is tricky to explain - that means we have actually got some money to LAs so that they can deliver the programme. It is HUGELY appreciated. Cat :)

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Thank you both for being such amazing (impressive!) colleagues and so kind - loved the support our G6 group has given to each other over the last few months. Loved working with you and have learnt loads!

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Thank you for running TF1 SO well and working through all the horrible complicated questions (!) brilliantly and keeping a sense of humour. We love TF1!!

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Thank you for being so tenacious about getting our LAs their lovely ££££££ - such a hard task but done so well! Laura

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I am horribly late writing this (as always...!) but I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone across all our lovely teams for being incredible - both through what you have achieved, keeping good humour in the slightly relentless pace (!), the amazing quality of work produced and the loveliness and kindness that you show your colleagues. Feel very lucky to work with you all!

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Since you joined the Unit, you have had SUCH an impact. You hit the ground running and picked up some super complicated things (like our whole programme funding!) with seeming ease. Not to mention pulling off the December Programme Board which everyone has agreed was SUPER smooth! Thank you for everything that you do. Cat :)

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It was so thoughtful of you to have a baby just to bring us joy with all the lovely photos. But in all seriousness thank you for being a lovely colleague and pal. You are v kind to others and are generous with your time in terms of football updates, mock interview holding, and presentations on all things economicsy. Molly H x

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Thank you for all the guidance, leadership, and support on LA reporting and previously as the joint head of our combined PMO team - I've really appreciated the balance of structure and space and felt empowered by your collective leadership. Cat :)

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You've been a joy (and such a source of support!) from day dot. Always there for a rant or a wry eyebrow - thank you!!

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Super-organised, super-talented, SUPER-lovely. You always take time out of your day to remember the little things going on in people's lives (working and personal!). It's so appreciated and means that when you selfishly go on leave for 3 weeks, your presence in the team is missed immediately. Molly H x

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Lovely to have you on board the South West team! You've been a wonderful breath of fresh air since joining and looking forward to lots more crossover.

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Thank you both for being such wonderful line managers. Cat :)

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For always being willing to explain all things funding and be a sounding board for life. Mondays in 39VS are the way forward! Shukria. Cat :)

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Thank you so much for hundreds, nay thousands, of actulols, gifs and BRAND NEW reaction emojis brightening my days over the last year. We're very lucky to have such an approachable DD who cares so much about his policy area.

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Big thank you to Laura and Charlotte H for always being on top of things, for caring about the team (and for taking on so much yourselves when things are busy to try and save us some pain!) and for working so hard to present as seamless-a-jobshare as possible. It can't be easy but it's much appreciated! - Sydney

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To all the little acts of kindness people

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To all the little acts of kindness people

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I will single out Charlotte H, Chris, Amy, Molly and Steph but there are many more. Pls raise a glass of eggnog to all those who take time out of very busy days so say hi, are you ok?, thank-you and well done. A little goes a very long way.
Cheers
Phil

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Thank you to the joint DfE/DHSC PMO function - there's a lot to manage but I know I'm so thankful for the way we do it really seamlessly cross-departments and are always happy to support each other. Thank you all <3 Cat

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The fact you've not even been here a month yet baffles me! Thank you for hitting the ground running so quickly and being such as approachable G6. I feel super supported as a member of your team! Let's see what 2023 brings! Georgia

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Thank you for being such a supportive line manager! You have made my experience joining the unit so enjoyable and I know can approach you about anything. Your organisation and knowledge of the programme is unbelievable, and you are a true asset to the team. Keep being you! Georgia x

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Thank you for being so happy to talk things through and puzzle things out together, and also for taking the time to recognise efforts across the team - it means a lot that you make the time to do that! Cat :)

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Our bonding over numbers... and underspend... and allocations... and scenarios... has been great and has allowed me to get to know you over the past few months. You are great and an excel whiz! I promise I'll try to give you a few months off QA'ing my spreadsheets haha. Georgia

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All I want for Christmas is . . . to actually get to work together!! But in the meantime I will take our supportive virtual nodding and 'like'ing . . . you always contribute such thoughtfulness to meetings and are a wonderful, patient policy support - thank you.

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Thanks for everything as the co-lead on driving forward the regional cross-government family programmes networks (we really do need a better acronym....).

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I feel I've said it all before - but you were SUCH an asset to the joint PMO team, and just a genuinely lovely person to have in a team. I'm so excited for your policy move (and very pleased you're not far away in the MH team!) and your continued excellent leadership of Andrea's office - no idea what we'd do without you! Cat :)

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Thank you for being so supportive throughout the delivery plan planning process! It's been a journey and it's been great to see the progress we've made! We have formed a dream team and thank you for being you :) Georgia

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Thank you for letting me know I've not just been obsessing from afar alone . . . here's to finding an excuse to work more together in the new year?!

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for being so kind and helpful and never ever saying 'find it yourself!' even when it must be so very tempting to!

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Thank you for everything now in relation to working on LA reporting, a few months back thinking about what the delivery support structures should look like, and just generally being a great sounding board and not judging my many and often silly questions. Cat :)

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For being a wonderful DD and always so positive and encouraging during our policy catch ups - thank you!! Amy x

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For taking the time to write such detailed world cup sweepstake emails that never fail to put a smile on my face. And congratulations on your beautiful baby / SfL case study! Amy x

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Your leadership of the infant feeding strand is awe-inspiring and you're always so on it with the various requests and commissions sent your way (often by me from PMO!). You have also been such a lovely and supportive friend, always around for a moan or a constructive discussion on how to handle a particular tricky situation. Looking forward to what 2023 has to offer (including more wedding planning chats!)! Cat :)

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To Canberra, despite a constant suspicion/fear that I am just here for your entertainment, seeing a little laughing emoji attached to a comment can really make one's day.
Philexius Dawkinstone

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It may have taken me far too long to stop calling you Charlotte (blame the book!) but leaving that aside you have been a (sometimes unsung) hero across so many of the bits of work I have been involved in - always there making everything work. From the engagement activities to delivery planning, and many other things, your sense of calm, your hard work, and (recently seen) wicked sense of humour makes you the colleague of dreams. My favourite thing is how you give me a certain amount of time to not do something before you do it anyway 😂
Phil x

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To all at DfE - there is a world where all the stress and impossible deadlines and the high-profile nature of the work results in two departments at war (I won't mention the slide dec during the Review which included lawns and tanks...) - but in this reality the lovely LOVELY people at DfE make every day a joy no matter how hard it gets. One of you even has the word Joy in their name! Feliz Navidad to you all. Phil x

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Thank you for all your continued engagement with and input into the National Centre meetings/toolkits/webinars etc!!

Sophie

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Hannah - thank you so much for being such and incredible and supportive line manager. I've truly enjoyed working with you over the past few months. Thank you also for being so proactive and leading the national initiatives brilliantly, I've learnt a lot from you :)
Afi

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To Sophie, Liv and Molly - aka Team Megagrid. An impossible task (how to accommodate hundreds of different starting points across all the funded and non-funded strands AND drive transformation) quickly became a joy because you were all so much fun, and so smart and hard working. Megagird drinks [sic - a typo that stuck around] took too long to happen but when they did they were everything we hoped for and more. Phil xxx

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Good job.

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Thank you so much Matt for all the support you have provided me, first as a line manager and as a team leader. It's been truly amazing to work with someone as passionate as you are, and who is always eager to share his knowledge and expertise. You will be hugely missed! Afi.

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Thanks for arriving in the team a year ago to become the other half of team Sydphie, and being such a brilliant support in the depths of work madness!

Sophie

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Paddy, Erin, Umar, Asha and all analysts!

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Paddy, Erin, Umar, Asha and all analysts!

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I'm so impressed by your endless skills - not just your analytical knowledge and expertise but also how collaborative, supportive, and solution focussed you are. It's a pleasure to work with you all.

Charlotte D

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Team "unfunded" services  - thank for you for always bringing the laughs in the depths of the mega-grid days!

Sophie

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I want to thank everyone across the two Departments working on the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. We've achieved so much together in a really short space of time. I'm so impressed by everyone's dedication and passion for the agenda. I also wanted to thank you for the collaborative way you've worked together across the two Depts. It really feels like we are one amazing team! Jenny W

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Abigail - thank you for being such a wonderful colleague. You made me feel so welcome when I joined your workforce world and I am super grateful. It's been such pleasure working alongside you, because of all of the things you've taught me and because you are such a kind person. Have a fab time in Ghana and I'm excited to catch up when you're back! Molly H x

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Jen T. You have been the most amazing manager I could ask for since the day I joined your team. The care you take of colleagues and the efforts to make everyone feel valued and supported are incredible - especially appreciated when you are working such long hours and smashing everything you do. I don't think I've ever seen anyone type as fast as you when you were finishing that doc at lightning speed to make the 1-1 you knew I needed! :D Hope you know how appreciated you are. Molly H x Ps can't wait to hear about Aus.

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So happy to have you in the MH team Steph! It's been lovely working more closely together and getting to know you better :) Hannah S

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Thanks for being so welcoming when I started! You have been so supportive and kind and I enjoy our catch ups (when we can fit them in!). I have really enjoyed working together :) Hannah S

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Thank you for always being willing to jump in and grip an emerging challenge (delivery plan assessment criteria being the most recent!)!

Sophie

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Thank you so much Melissa for all the support you give me. It makes a huge difference, especially on the difficult days. I am so thankful for the way you take time to listen and hear me out at times when my stress levels have been through the ceiling!

Have a wonderful Christmas, I'm looking forward to continuing working together next year.

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I'm sure I am also speaking for Afi when I say a huge thanks for your support with the national initiatives. We have gotten through the commercial drama together and it's been great sharing tips and tricks. You are a joy to work with and I am looking forward to more polavas in the new year (nothing we cant handle though). Hannah S

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Erin - you are such a wonderful colleague and friend. Your positivity knows no bounds, and really helps bring good vibes to those around you. We all really appreciate it :-)

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Thanks to everyone who has organised the fun/team activities throughout the year. I've never been part of such a social team and it's lovely to see! (Hannah S)

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You absolute wonderwoman. Where to start?! Thank you for being such a support as I joined team JAAMM and every day since. Working alongside you is as fab as I knew it would be. You are such an inspiration, unfailingly kind and thoughtful - and a complete machine in your role. I'm super excited for our upcoming wines and coffees in the New Year. All the love to you. Molly H xxx

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Wow, it's only be a few months but Asha and Umar have settled into the team and their roles very swiftly. Already doing lots of important work like the funding allocation letters work and the SfL business case.

Such a great start, and still 3/4 of the year to go!

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Thanks so much for being the best line manager Matt! It has been an absolute pleasure working with you. I have really enjoyed learning all about PMH and PIR and have appreciated how much energy you have put into sharing evidence papers, interesting links etc. to support us in understanding more.

You have played such a huge part in shaping the MH strand and you will be sorely missed. Hannah S

P.s. this GIF is actually a bit terrifying

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Thank you so much for sharing all your expertise and thoughtful reflections over the past few months. You have been such a fantastic leader for our team and sad (but happy for you) to see you go!

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Thanks so much John for being so supportive - it's been so lovely joining the team at the same time as you. I've really enjoyed working with you as you have such a collaborative approach to your work, and it's felt like a real team effort. I look forward to working together on more exciting things in the new year :) Hannah S

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Thank you for everything you do - both within the PMO team (your organisation and clear communication is always so brilliant) and as a friend. I love our catch ups in 39VS and it's so nice to be able to be completely open and honest with you about any issues or stresses I'm going through. It also helps that we're almost always on the same wavelength! Thank you and looking forward to many more in the new year. Amy x

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Matt, Sasha - you have been utter stars the past few months. You have embraced challenges head on, got totally stuck in, and been so much fun to work with. Thank you for all the amazing work to get things off the ground so quickly. You are brilliant. Molly H x

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Thank you for picking up the 10 year plan work so quickly and leading the recent check and challenge DDs session with such assurance. The evidence base and proposals that you've helped develop with be really important for whatever comes next with the long-term strategy work.

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Thanks so much Afi for being the most amazing colleague to work with. Your relaxed yet determined attitude has got me through all the highs and lows of setting up the national initiatives. It has been amazing getting to know you as a colleague and friend. What am I going to do without you!
Hannah S

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Thanks to everyone in the team for their hard work on the business case and making sure we get InvestCo approval! Not an easy process at the best of times, let alone when managing all the competing policy priorities. Thank you for all meeting the tight deadlines and InvestCo's sky high expectations! We did it!!! Grace :-)

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Megagird assemble! You guys were SUCH an amazing team. I absolutely loved our little rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. Genuinely not sure how I'd have gotten through the super tricky moments if it wasn't for the support and fun you brought. You made me cry with laughter on multiple occasions and I will forever be proud that the term 'mega grid' started to make its way into the roundtables with LAs. I also miss very much witnessing Liv's no-nonsense questions to Phil when there was no time for silliness (please see gif). So very funny. Love Molly H x

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For keeping me sane during countless submissions, multiple positions on how we best select the LAs and endless meetings.

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Thank you for being the fountain of all Sure Start knowledge and master of (the many!) children's centre PQs!

Sophie

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Thank you for your never-ending patience with the economic case for the FBC! I know InvestCo pushed us hard (and still are!) for lots of data, evidence and analysis and you've handled it expertly. Thank you :-) Grace

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For a stellar start in the Start for Life Unit - getting up to speed super quickly on all the complex policy areas and pulling together some great case studies

Matt D

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For doing an amazing job on all things trailblazer and business case, expertly gripping and delivering work, staying resilient and bringing people together

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HUGE well done and thank you for all your work to secure approval to uplift/extend NCFH contract after a tricky few months going through the process!!

Sophie

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Designing the assessment process for Tf1 feels soooo long ago - but you two were just the most patient, kind and sunny colleagues. I absolutely know that I asked you the same question at least 4 times in some instances. And you were so gracious and understanding and put so much work into making it a manageable ask of our team. Was lovely working with you. Thank you, thank you. Molly H x

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For joining our team and hitting the ground running from day one. You keep us on track through our weekly team meetings and have done excellent work on case studies in a very short amount of time. Looking forward to next year!

Charlotte D

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You have been a genuine pleasure to work with over the past year. You wouldn't know in most instances that we are in two separate departments. Cross-department working isn't easy - system incentives don't work in our favour. But because of everyone's commitment, kindness, and determination to make things better for families, we have achieved SO MUCH together. I'm very grateful to all of you, and enjoy working together.

Charlotte D

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For exceptional organisation and grip! And for coming over to work with us, of course. Without you the DHSC business case process would not have been half as smooth. Your work on trailblazers and other areas has been equally impressive.

Charlotte D

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Team Leeds! Thanks for always letting me moan about the state of the North's rail infrastructure, and one day we will navigate QH successfully!
+ all excellent work on business case and sign-up, but that goes without saying! Grace

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Thank you for leading team 'SfL policy and engagement' (Charlotte's angels) through the various challenges of the past year. You are always ready to step back/in when needed and it is hugely appreciated. You've created such a great team culture that makes all the challenges infinitely easier :-)  Grace

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Thank to Sarah F for working tirelessly to get LA funding out the door, and for taking time out of your incredibly busy day to talk me through the whole process.
Amy W

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For exceptional work over the course of the past year, leading us all through a range of complex policy questions - which LAs to select, how to distribute the money, how to establish trailblazers. Your skill in bringing together colleagues to work through these has been v impressive to watch, and your ability to draft countless high-quality subs!

Charlotte D

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To Eoin and Sonia for resilience and perseverance over the past 6 months whilst leading on briefing, engagement and comms work across the unit. Your patience and effective working with colleagues across both departments has been v impressive. And the amount of new briefs for ministers...!

From Charlotte D

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Huge thanks to Phil, Christina and everyone that helped develop a set of strong, clear, criteria so quickly - such an impressive piece of work

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For being brilliant from the day you joined, with excellent leadership across both departments on sign up, delivery plans, and a whole raise of difficult issues.

From Charlotte D

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Abigail, Amy, Molly, Matt E, Cat, Steph and Georgia - thanks for being the best bunch of lovely, kind, capable people. You're constantly impressing me and making me less and less needed (in a good way!). You're always supportive of each other and great fun - managing you is the best job. Jen x

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For staying so patient and good humoured and resilient whilst managing sign up - a glass of wine didn't do it justice, think we still owe you a bottle!

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Thank you for making me smile and for just being you and for always being on the other end of an IM when i need! Karen x

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I'm so grateful for you holding the fort when I've been unwell. Thank you! Jen

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Thank you for all of your support and for always being there throughout the commercial madness - I genuinely couldn't have got through it without you both. And I love our weekly catch ups! Amy x

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So delighted that you've joined our team! Thanks for hitting the ground running so quickly and managing an extremely efficient interview process too. Hope you're having a great holiday, Jen

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Thanks for all your hard work over the past few months! I've really appreciated your creativity, good humour and increasingly excellent slide-packs, Jen

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Thanks Sara for being so supportive in my first few months and for all your knowledge, guidance and patience! From Karen x