Mr Stephen Lock

The Director of Resources (D Res) is Air Command’s Senior Finance Officer and Air Force Board member responsible for the £6Bn annual operating and equipment budget, including personal approval of projects up to £400M. D Res is the Permanent Secretary’s representative at Air Command, ensuring propriety and protecting the Accounting Officer’s position. D Res is also Air’s Civilian Workforce advisor, representing the 5,000 Civil servants at the Board, and leads the Finance, Planning and Civilian Workforce teams of c200 staff.

Details

Steve is proud to be a Civil Servant having joined the then Department of Social Security in 1994 as an Administrative Assistant. He joined the Department after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University with a Degree in Accounting and Finance. Prior to University Steve had a brief career in Retail Management. 

Steve is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), being a successful graduate of the DWP Financial Management Development Scheme he actively supports colleagues to help them fulfil their potential. He has enjoyed challenging roles throughout his career and has extensive experience of leading finance transformation, partnering the business, balancing the books and simplifying complex information. He has been a member of the SCS since 2013. 

Diversity and Inclusion Statement 

The RAF Strategy sets out the essential goal of building a workforce fit for the future, and I’m proud to be part of the RAF’s senior leadership team dedicated to making that a reality. To do so, we need to be an organisation which champions diversity of background, of thought, and perspective, and advocates for the highest standards of inclusivity. 

As the Chief of the Air Staff’s Civilian Workforce Advisor I am committed to leading and embodying the Civil Service’s aim of becoming the UK’s most inclusive employer. Every Civil Servant working alongside our regular, reserve and contractor colleagues, has a role to play in creating an inclusive culture and making Air Command a truly great place to work. On a personal level, I am proud to be the Social Mobility Champion for Defence because I see the value that people from all backgrounds bring to Defence and I want to build on that so that everyone feels they are valued, are fulfilled in their roles, and can achieve their aspirations. 

Career history

 

  • Formulating the strategic financial plan underpinning the DWP SR15 settlement, working with the DWP Permanent Secretary and Executive Team members to critically review existing plans and their financial consequences. 
  • Successfully negotiating the removal of HMT ring-fences on DWP funding for 2014/15 and 2015/16 ensuring access to over £600m of funding for DWP across the 2 financial years. 
  • Leading the transformation of the financial reporting function in DWP achieving economies of scale through centralising functions while improving the quality and speed of reporting. 
  • Supporting the Jobcentre Plus response to the 2008 recession, subsequent economic recovery and government austerity. He recommended changes to business delivery which when implemented reduced the impact of the recession and increase in workloads on the business, and secured funding from HMT to support the increases