 He lectured in economics at the University College of the South West of England (a predecessor institution of the University of Exeter) between 1930 and 1931 and at the University of Durham between 1931 and 1945.In 1946, he joined the Civil Service, initially as an Assistant Secretary in the Treasury, before becoming Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, between 1947 and 1950.After a period working in the Ministry of Food, he was appointed First Civil Service Commissioner in 1954, transferring in 1959 to become Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour.