Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Minister have announced that Jayne Brady (pictured) will be the next head of the Public Service.
Ms Brady’s appointment follows a second recruitment process after Ministers failed to fill the position last year.
She currently works as Digital Innovation Commissioner with Belfast City Council.
Ms Brady will take over from Jenny Pyper, who has held the position on an acting basis since December.
However, she will not manage the Department overseen by the First and Deputy First Ministers.
In March, it emerged that a new Permanent Secretary role, described as a de facto chief operating officer, was being created within the Executive Office to do this.
Ms Brady will be paid a salary of up to £166,000 ($A304,600) in her new role although it’s not yet known when she will start.
Confirming the appointment, outgoing First Minister, Arlene Foster said it was a “hugely significant appointment” for the institutions of Government.
“As leader of some 23,000 Civil Servants and Chief Policy Adviser to the Executive, the head of the Civil Service role is central to the development and delivery of public services and Jayne is an experienced and highly-skilled leader who has much to bring to the role,” Mrs Foster said.
Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill said Ms Brady would bring “extensive experience” to the role.
“I also want to put on record my thanks to Jenny Pyper, who stepped up to carry out the role on an interim basis over the past seven months during a time of great challenge for the Executive,” Ms O’Neill said.
Belfast, 12 June 2021
