Sir Douglas Wass spent the main working part of his life as a senior civil servant in the Treasury, which he joined in 1946 after War service. His experience ranged over all aspects of the Treasury and he represented the UK in both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He was the Private Secretary to two Chancellors and to the Chief Secretary. In 1981 he was appointed Joint Head of the Civil Service. After retirement he gave the Reith Lectures on how the system of representative government works in the UK.