Department for Science, Innovation and Technology permanent secretary Sarah Munby has announced that she will leave the civil service this summer.
Munby joined government from global consultancy McKinsey in 2019 and was appointed as perm sec of the then-Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in July 2020. She was the permanent replacement for Alex Chisholm after his promotion to Cabinet Office perm sec and civil service chief operating officer earlier in the year.
BEIS was broken up in February 2023’s machinery of government changes, which saw the creation of DSIT, the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Munby set out her plans to leave government to departmental officials earlier this week, then posted an announcement on LinkedIn. She referred directly to the establishment of DSIT and its subsequent expanded role as home of the Government Digital Service, announced by the new Labour government last July and set out in detail in January.
“Transitions work best when things are in good shape, and after a year settling in the department (after the most recent expansion) and indeed the new secretary of state, it will be a good time to hand over the reins,” Munby wrote.
“On a personal note, this summer will also mark five years for me as a perm sec – first leading BEIS and then DSIT. It has been an extraordinary tour of duty. I never imagined when I joined the civil service from the private sector in 2019 that I would be leading two departments through a devastating pandemic, a global energy crisis, the transformative rise of AI, four prime ministers, seven secretaries of state, two major machinery of government changes – and a whole lot more besides.”
Munby said her time in the civil service had been “deeply rewarding” and that she felt proud of everything her teams had achieved, from supporting small businesses financially as part of the government's pandemic response to “setting the stage” for the delivery of digital transformation across government.
“I have been lucky enough to work with the civil service at its very best,” she said. “I will remain in post for the next few months to support a smooth transition, and to help close the Spending Review.
“After that, my immediate plan is to enjoy an enforced period of rest, as per business appointment guidelines.”
Munby spent 15 years at McKinsey before moving to the public sector, latterly leading the consulting firm’s UK and Ireland strategy and corporate finance practice. Immediately prior to becoming perm sec at BEIS, Munby was the department’s director general for business sectors.
Munby’s LinkedIn announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from officials, with one writing: “This comes as a shock at a time when we need leaders like you in the civil service”. Another wrote: “Having been in the UK civil service for well over 20 years, I’ve never come across a perm sec like you. I love your authentic leadership style, down-to-earth delivery and honesty which makes you approachable and engaging.”
Peter Kyle, who is secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, said in a statement that DSIT would have made more limited progress since its launch without Munby’s “service, commitment and indefatigability”.
“I would like to thank Sarah for her years of dedicated public service,” he said. “Sarah helped to create and establish DSIT and, since the recent general election, has helped build ‘new DSIT’ as the digital centre of government.
“I am profoundly grateful for all of her work. As well as constructing the department, Sarah has built a team with the strength in breadth and depth that, by their brilliant efforts, will continue to be a tribute to her work.
“Sarah has contributed enormously to getting us to where we are today. On behalf of us all, I want to say a thank you, commend her for all her efforts and wish her all the very best for the future.”
DSIT said arrangements for appointing a successor to Munby will be “set out in due course”.