A senior official in the United Kingdom’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary for the Scottish Public Service, three months after the Government formally launched a search for a successor to Leslie Evans.
John-Paul Marks is currently Director General for Work and Health Services at the DWP, a post he has held since 2019.
In a statement, the Government said Mr Marks (pictured) had been appointed by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon in agreement with United Kingdom Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case and would start the job on 5 January.
Ms Sturgeon said Mr Marks would bring a wealth of experience from his Public Service career, working across a range of policy and delivery priorities.
“I look forward to working with him over the years ahead as we recover from COVID-19 and deliver on the Government’s ambition to build a fairer, greener Scotland,” Ms Sturgeon said.
Mr Case said Mr Marks’ experience in building teams, delivering complex system reforms, major projects and improving services at scale would be invaluable in his new role.
Ms Sturgeon thanked Ms Evans for her leadership of the Public Service in Scotland over almost seven years.
“The expertise and insight that Leslie has applied in leading the organisation through the notable and significant challenges of our day — such as the European Union exit and the COVID-19 pandemic —has been admirable,” the First Minister said.
Ms Evans’ original five-year term in office had been due to expire last year but was extended to ensure continuity of leadership in the face of the EU exit and the pandemic.
Edinburgh, 20 November 2021
