UofG Centre for Public Policy

4 November 2025: Join us for an insightful conversation - hosted by the Centre for Public Policy Associate Director Professor Kezia Dugdale - with Vincent Devine, the UK Government’s Chief Security Officer, as he shares reflections on a career spanning three decades in public service.

The first Cabinet Office Conversations event of the year welcomes Vincent Devine, the UK Government’s Chief Security Officer and Head of the Government Security Function, to the University of Glasgow on Tuesday 11 November.

Vincent will be in conversation with Professor Kezia Dugdale, Associate Director of the Centre for Public Policy, offering an opportunity for students to hear first-hand about leadership, security, and public policy at the highest level.

With over 30 years of experience in the Civil Service, Vincent has worked on some of the UK’s most complex security and national security challenges. His career has included international postings in the Balkans, Ukraine and Northern Ireland, where he has led teams through periods of significant change and challenge.

In his current role, Vincent leads the Government Security Function, developing the capacity and capability of security professionals across government departments. His work spans physical, human and information security, ensuring that the UK’s public institutions remain resilient and responsive in an evolving global landscape. He also serves as Director General of the Government Security Group within the Cabinet Office, overseeing protective security across central government departments, agencies and arms-length bodies.

During this conversation, Vincent will reflect on his career in public service, the lessons he has learned in leadership and resilience, and the evolving role of security in government today.

The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A, offering attendees the chance to engage directly and explore these themes further.

Event details and register

Tuesday 11 November

1pm to 2pm, followed by informal networking and light refreshments until 2.30pm

Glasgow University Union

Learn more and sign up to this event

Please note, to gain entry to this event you must pre-register and produce your student card on arrival. Failure to do so may result in denial of entry.

University of Glasgow staff who would like to attend should RSVP to Martin Ferguson, Events Manager at UofG Careers, Employability and Opportunity. 

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First published: 4 November 2025