Ceinwen Blake: A Career 44 Years in the Making— And She's Just Getting Started!

Career development at ONS isn't just a buzzword; it's a living, breathing reality for anyone who's willing to put in the work, stay focused, and keep growing—embracing feedback and pushing boundaries. And when it comes to embodying all these traits, Ceinwen Blake is a shining example.

Simply put, every organisation needs a Ceinwen Blake. Read on to find out why...

Ceinwen first joined the ONS on 6th May 1980—yes, back when Dexy's Midnight Runners were belting out Geno at number one (and if you're scratching your head wondering what that is, don’t worry, we all thought it was Come on Eileen too!). Since then, Ceinwen has rolled with the punches and tackled every curveball thrown her way over the past 44+ years, and let me tell you, not one of them has knocked her down.

Anyone who’s had the pleasure of working with Ceinwen knows just how unstoppable she is. Strong, ambitious, and dedicated, she’s a massive inspiration to anyone—especially women—looking to break into the world of tech. And, quite frankly, there’s little she hasn’t done in the tech space at ONS.

Ceinwen began her journey as an Administrative Assistant in the post room. She held various admin roles for a few years, but it was in 1984 that she took a leap into IT. From there, she steadily climbed the ranks from Executive Officer to Grade 6 (five promotions, for anyone counting!) while taking on a range of roles, including software developer, systems administrator, project manager, programme manager, and website support. She even set up the Digital Data and Technology Hub and Academy—not to mention leading the NextGen IT Portfolio, which she refers to as the beginning of the “IT Revolution” at ONS.

And just when you think that’s enough to make anyone’s head spin, in 2019, Ceinwen earned the title of Deputy Director and is now leading the Corporate IT and Services Department. Quite the career trajectory, right?

44 years at one company? That’s seriously impressive. But when I asked Ceinwen why she’s stayed at ONS all this time, she said it was because she loves the people and the variety of work she’s been involved in since day one. Simple, but powerful.

Of course, I had to ask the burning question: What’s your secret to success, Ceinwen? How have you managed to climb the ladder so smoothly?

With her usual grace, Ceinwen responded with the kind of advice we can all take to heart: "I work hard, seize opportunities to learn new skills, and always welcome feedback—acting on it to improve. I also value the networks I’ve built, and I continue to build them."

Wise words, wouldn’t you agree?

And speaking of advice, when I asked Ceinwen what she would say to someone thinking of joining ONS, she had this to say: “ONS is a fantastic place to work, full of variety and opportunities to succeed. It’s an inclusive, diverse environment where everyone is valued. And age is never a barrier—my last promotion came at 59!” Take that, age stereotypes!

Now, because it’s Christmas, I thought I’d throw in a few festive questions to mix things up. Ceinwen’s favourite Christmas film is Elf (who can blame her?), she’s come around on brussels sprouts (I’ll let her explain that one!), and if she could invite any three famous people to Christmas lunch, it’d be Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Tyler, and Princess Anne—an eclectic but brilliant trio!

But let’s wrap this up with a few words from Ceinwen herself about her proudest moments at ONS: “In response to the pandemic, I led IT activities to enable 4,500 staff to work from home within three weeks. That, along with my 40+ years of service, culminated in me receiving an OBE in 2023.” Absolutely deserved, Ceinwen!

I think we can all agree that Ceinwen’s recognition is a testament to her dedication, drive, and sheer determination. ONS is incredibly lucky to have someone like her.

So, in a world where you can be anything, be more Ceinwen. (Apart from with the sprouts—let’s not go that far!)

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