Caroline Slocock was the first female private secretary at No. 10 and was private secretary (home affairs) to Margaret Thatcher and John Major between 1989 and 1991.

After leaving No. 10, she worked to change the culture and working practices of the Treasury, which many women saw as a barrier to their advancement, and went on to reform the public expenditure system and public services. At the Department for Education, she oversaw a national expansion of childcare and nursery education. Between 2002 and 2007, she was the chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the statutory body that promoted equal opportunities for women and men, and helped achieve significant advances, though many challenges remain.

After leaving government, she set up and led a think tank and a leadership network dedicated to improving services and strengthening communities. She is the author of many publications on this theme and is a regular commentator in the media.