Case Study 3 - Internal innovation for the HMRC

The brief: To change the culture and behaviours in HMRC post the merger between Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise, by encouraging creative and business focused innovative ideas from all levels across the entire government department and to enable and allow the change to happen.

What we did:Taking the venture capitalist model from the Television Programme “Dragons Den” staff were encouraged to come up with a defined business case for an idea and to get coached through the business planning, presentation to board for funding and eventual project management phases. Internal HMRC staff were also to be trained to a level to enable them to be professionally accredited coaches.

Results: Fantastic buy in across the department and some great innovative projects covering areas such as Environment, People, Process & Technology, with many initiatives forecasting returns on investment at over 200%, within only a few months.

“I would like to thank Jonathan and his team on behalf of the organisation (HMRC), and the Board of Angels, for the invaluable contribution in helping get the concept of the ground and more recently in developing it into a fully operational tool….the enthusiasm, drive and determination have been evident at every stage and will be much missed” David Chilver SCS

“The whole Angels and Dragons process has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and open doors previously unattainable. I have developed new skills and furthered my own knowledge throughout the entire process”. An idea proposer