Former Home Office and Department for Transport permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam has been appointed the chair of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research’s council of management.
Rutnam said he was “honoured” to be appointed to the role”.
“NIESR has exceptional importance as a source of expert advice and independent thinking on economic policy and addresses issues that are fundamental to the welfare of all," he said.
He added that he is joining the research institute at “a critical time for good policy making in the UK”.
Rutnam takes over from Neil Gaskell, who has been acting as chair in the interim since Nicholas Crafts died last year.
NIESR director Jagjit Chadha said Rutnam’s “exceptional experience in public administration will provide considerable support to the work and impact of the Institute, as it seeks to respond to the challenge of poor economic and social policy”.
Paul Tucker, NIESR’s president, added: “Speaking on behalf of the trustees, we are simply delighted that Philip Rutnam is becoming the new chair of NIESR’s council, at what is such a critical time for the contribution of economic policy and ideas to the life of our country. We also want to record publicly our warm thanks to Neil Gaskell for stepping into the gap so tragically left by Nick Crafts last year.”
Rutnam spent much of his career as a senior civil servant, including spells as perm sec at the Department for Transport (2012-17) and the Home Office (2017-20). He also worked at at HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Rutnam quit as Home Office perm sec in dramatic fashion in February 2020, announcing on BBC News that he had handed in his notice. Rutnam said he had been the victim of a "vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign" and suggested then-home secretary Priti Patel was involved.
Rutnam said Home Office staff had made allegations that Patel had shouted and sworn at them, belittling people and making "unreasonable and repeated demands".
An investigation, conducted by then-prime minister Boris Johnson's independent adviser on ministerial standards, later found Patel had bullied staff, a breach of the ministerial code. However, Johnson refused to accept that Patel's behaviour amounted to a breach of the code, and she kept her job.
Rutnam brought a constructive dismissal case against the government, which settled ahead of an employment tribunal, paying out £370,000 plus legal fees.
Earlier in his career, Rutnam also worked as an investment banker in Hong Kong and at Ofcom, where he helped to establish the regulator and then joined its board.
Currently, Rutnam also holds roles as chair of the Oxford Health Trust and chair of the National Churches Trust.