Our results speak volumes.
Our team is passionate about their work. They’re on a unique trajectory, ensuring the Government Commercial Function is the best commercial function in the UK – and we’ve got the stories to prove it.
We’re a great place to work. Our projects are highly varied. Our workplaces are supportive. Every member of our team is on a valuable learning curve. We’re all involved in the types of tasks that are ideally suited to commercially-savvy individuals. In short, we can offer a workplace like no other. Don’t just take our word for it – here are just a few examples of what we’ve achieved recently…
Meet Our People
Video transcript unavailable
Meet our people
“In my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would be chartering planes and bringing home British nationals through a global pandemic”
Rakhee Dave-Shah
Deputy Director Complex Transactions at Government Commercial Organisation
What inspired you to work for the civil service?
My journey into the civil service was driven by a desire to be involved in meaningful and ethical work. In October 2019, I received an exciting offer at the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, it would give me global experience & exposure and a generous benefits package.
What is the most interesting project you have been a part of in your role?
In March 2020, Covid-19 hit, I received an urgent call from the FCDO Chief Commercial Officer Tracey Williamson: “We have thousands of British nationals stranded across the globe, planes aren’t flying, we need to bring them home”. Alongside Tracey Williamson, I set up a Covid Response Repatriation operation. The next 3 months of my life grew into a huge initiative to bring British nationals back home. We had the first flight out of Ghana to bring back nationals.
In my wildest dreams I did not think I’d be doing this, I am so grateful that I took the job in the Government Commercial Organisation.
What are you most excited about for the future of GCO?
GCO has created a really amazing thing in the centre of government. It is a professional function that delivers incredible work for government departments and the delivery shows for itself. It has a pivotal role as a cross departmental function in the centre of Government to work as part of a mission-driven government and deliver the 5 Missions.
What did you want to be growing up?
I originally wanted to be an Olympic javelin thrower and then a Prime Minister. I’m not quite either, but in some ways, I’ve ended up closer than I expected. Most people get excited for the Champions League; I get that same buzz on election night so I seem to have ended up in the right place.
What drew you to the Civil Service?
After studying politics, I wanted to be where decisions happen. The Civil Service is at the heart of that. Once I joined, I realised it’s much more than just policy. I hadn’t even considered the commercial profession before the application process.
I chose commercial work because it matched what I enjoyed most about politics: negotiation, building relationships and driving outcomes. It’s where strategy meets delivery, and you can see the real world impact of your work.
What’s been a highlight of the Fast Stream?
The trust and responsibility from day one. Within a year, I was delivering sessions on contract management to non-commercial teams, and by my second year I was leading G7 level work.
There’s a huge variety; from managing major supplier negotiations to outreach at universities and prisons. You see how the government delivers for people in so many ways.
Your advice for future applicants?
Just apply. The Fast Stream is expanding across the UK, and it’s a fantastic way to make a real difference early in your career. Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back,you’re probably more capable than you think!
“Just apply. It is a fantastic way to make a real difference early in your career”
Esan Shafiq
Final Year Commercial Fast Streamer
Home page
About us
How to apply
