The former head of the civil service Sir Bob Kerslake has been given a life peerage by the Queen.
Kerslake, who is due to retire as permanent secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government at the end of this week, was nominated for a cross bench peerage by the prime minister.
Speaking to Civil Service World earlier this month, Kerslake said he would not turn down the chance to become a lord.
“It’s obviously down to the prime minister whether that happens, but if it was offered, yes I would take it,” he said, adding: “I think it would be very interesting. I think I’d be keen to contribute, not just on the civil service, but on things like local government, regeneration and local growth.”