The current Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business, Alex Chisholm (pictured) has been named to oversee the wide-ranging reforms in the United Kingdom Public Service wanted by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Mr Chisholm will be second-in-command of the Public Service, behind Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, and has been given the title of Chief Operating Officer.
He will take up his new role on 14 April.
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Michael Gove said he was delighted at the appointment, adding that Mr Chisholm would play a central part in the Government’s efforts to reform the Public Service and deliver on its key manifesto commitments.
“Alex will be responsible for supporting Ministers to develop and then drive forward a reform program for the Civil Service, building on the Government’s existing efficiency program,” Mr Gove said.
Public Service reform has been a key objective of Mr Johnson, and in particular his Chief Adviser, Dominic Cummings, who believes Whitehall is responsible for many policy failures.
Sir Mark said Mr Chisholm would lead “the ongoing transformation of the Civil Service to further enhance its efficiency, effectiveness and agility”.
Mr Chisholm (52) said he was thrilled by his new role.
“The present Coronavirus emergency is a powerful reminder of how important the work of Government is to the whole country,” Mr Chisholm said.
Before heading the Department for Business Mr Chisholm was Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority.
London, 31 March 2020
