The Department for Communities and Local Government has appointed Jo Farrar to become its new director general for local government and public services.
Farrar, who is currently chief executive of Bath and North East Somerset Council, announced her new role earlier today.
The director-general post is one of four such roles at the department, under permanent secretary Melanie Dawes, and is currently undertaken by Helen Edwards. Edwards is set to retire in July.
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Announcing her departure from Bath and North East Somerset, Farrar said she had not been actively seeking a new job, but felt the DCLG role was an opportunity that could not be missed.
“I began my career in the civil service and I believe I will be able to offer valuable insights when I return at this critical time for local public services,” she said.
Farrar received a CBE for services to local government in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List. She has held the top post at Bath and North East Somerset for the past four years. She previously worked at Bridgend County Borough Council in Wales.