Professor Zoë Collier
Senior public sector training in policy, strategy and government leadership
Professor Zoë Collier is an internationally experienced public sector trainer with over 30 years of experience working in and with the UK civil service and governments around the world. She specialises in policy development, strategic thinking, political awareness and leadership capability for government professionals.
Zoë designs and delivers training programmes and coaching for senior civil servants and international administrations. Her work focuses on helping public sector professionals think more strategically, communicate policy more effectively and operate confidently in complex political environments.
Government and diplomatic experience
Zoë began her career as a Fast Stream policy adviser in HM Treasury, working directly with ministers on finance and policy development.
She later joined the UK Diplomatic Service and served at the British Embassy in Athens, gaining international experience in diplomacy and government relations.
She went on to head the Strategy Unit at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and later served as Private Secretary to a Cabinet Minister, managing policy priorities and working closely across Parliament, departments and external stakeholders.
Zoë also held a senior lecturing role at the UK National School of Government, where she developed her passion for training and capability building across the civil service.
International training and academic expertise
Since 2012, Zoë has delivered a suite of workshops for the Council of the European Union on political thinking and writing political briefings.
She is a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in the Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies. She also teaches negotiation skills to international politics masters students at the University of London.
Zoë has delivered training and consultancy programmes across Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States, working with both single organisations and mixed nationality groups. She is highly experienced in both in person and virtual delivery, including MS Teams and Zoom.
Areas of expertise
Zoë delivers training across a wide range of public sector leadership and policy areas including:
- Policy development and strategic thinking
- Political awareness and political thinking in government
- Policy communication and ministerial briefing
- Stakeholder engagement and management
- Negotiation skills for government and diplomacy
- Leadership in complex public sector environments
- International governance and EU institutions
Upcoming courses:
– Option Appraisal and Decision-Making in the Public Sector
– Writing Policy Briefs, Submissions and Advice
What makes Zoë Collier’s training unique
Zoë combines deep first hand government experience with academic expertise and international teaching practice. Her training is highly practical and grounded in real examples from senior policy and diplomatic roles.
She helps participants understand how decisions are made in government, how to communicate effectively in political environments and how to develop strong, clear and persuasive policy thinking.
Why organisations book Zoë Collier
- Over 30 years experience in UK and international government
- Senior roles in HM Treasury, DCMS and the Diplomatic Service
- Former Private Secretary to a Cabinet Minister
- Visiting Professor at the College of Europe
- Extensive experience delivering training globally to civil servants
- Expert in policy, strategy, negotiation and political thinking
Strengthening policy and leadership capability in government
Professor Zoë Collier helps public sector organisations build stronger policy capability, improve strategic thinking and develop confident leadership in complex political environments. Her training is designed to enhance clarity, influence and effectiveness at every level of government.