In a press release published today, Kelly said that since joining the civil service he has "encountered exceptionally bright, talented and committed colleagues.”
Kelly joined government in 2011 to help with a process of supplier renegotiations, and was appointed as a crown representative with responsibility for establishing mutuals. In 2012, he became chief operating officer and head of the Cabinet Office Efficiency and Reform Group, working under Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude.
Kelly praised Maude as demonstrating “outstanding leadership, inspiration and clarity”, and said: “I am extremely pleased with the achievements of the Efficiency and Reform Group and Cabinet Office teams in driving sustainable efficiency and reform and the resulting savings accrued."
Maude described Kelly as "a terrific leader of the government’s efficiency and reform programme”, but said that “although we have achieved an enormous amount we are still at the start of our work to transform Whitehall. Stephen will be missed greatly but he has developed an exceptionally strong team who will continue our reform work including by further strengthening commercial skills, digitising government and ensuring our major projects run to time and budget."