Latest civil service & public affairs moves – April 15

UK Government

• Prime Minister's Office – Dr Caroline Pryer appointed as His Majesty’s lord-lieutenant for the County of Northumberland from 1 May, succeeding The Duchess of Northumberland.
• Cabinet Office: Office of the Parliamentary Counsel – Jessica de Mounteney appointed as first parliamentary counsel and permanent secretary of the Government in Parliament Group from the end of April.
• Ministry of Defence: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – Robert MacLeod appointed a non-executive member of the board and chair of the Dstl Audit and Risk Assurance Committee until 18 February 2027. South East Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee – Gary Cass and John Scivier appointed as members for three years 25 February 2027.
• Department for Education – Dame Christine Gilbert appointed to lead an independent review into Ofsted’s response to the death of Ruth Perry and produce a written report of her findings later this year.
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – Peter Hill appointed as chair from 1 June.
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Forestry Commission – Jo Bradwell appointed as non-executive commissioner for three years. Sea Fish Industry Authority – Michael Sheldon re-appointed as chair for three years until 31 March 2027; Jeff Halliwell re-appointed as deputy chair for three years until 30 April 2027; Nathan de Rozarieux re-appointed for one year until 31 March 2025; Dave Brooks and Graham Black re-appointed for two years until 31 March 2026; Harry Wick and Heather Jones re-appointed for three years until 31 March 2027.
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – Lindy Cameron appointed as British high commissioner to the Republic of India, succeeding Alex Ellis who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. David McIlroy appointed as chargé d’affaires of the British Embassy in Eritrea, succeeding Joel Harding. Victoria Harrison appointed as ambassador to Slovenia, succeeding Tiffany Sadler. She is UK's first ever blind ambassador and will start in August. 
• Department of Health and Social Care: DHSC Departmental Board – Samantha Jones appointed lead non-executive member until 13 February 2026; Richard Douglas appointed as non-executive member for three years, and chair of the board’s Audit and Risk Committee from 1 August; Steve Rowe appointed as non-executive member for three years; Gerry Murphy’s term as non-executive member and chair of the board’s Audit and Risk Committee extended until 31 July. Committee on the Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment – Professor Gareth Jenkins re-appointed as chair for three years from 1 May.
• Home Office: Security Industry Authority – Paul Glibbery appointed as non-executive director from 8 April.
• Ministry of Justice: Sentencing Council – Her Honour Judge Amanda Rippon appointed as judicial member.

Houses of Parliament

House of Commons

• William Wragg, for Hazel Grove, resigned the Conservative whip on 9 April. He now sits as an Independent.
• Blackpool South by-election – statement of persons nominated released here.

House of Lords

• Lord Rosser (Labour, life peer) died on 10 April.
• Lord Geidt (Crossbench, life peer) granted a leave of absence on 10 April.

Parties

Conservatives

• William Wragg stood down as vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee.

Devolved Administrations

Northern Ireland Assembly

• Procedures Committee – William Irwin added; Gary Middleton discharged.
• Standards and Privileges Committee – Brian Kingston added; Stephen Dunne discharged.

Northern Ireland Executive

• Department for the Economy – Ian Snowden appointed as permanent secretary. He has been interim permanent secretary since December 2023.
• Northern Ireland Policing Board – Marian Cree, Patrick Nelson and Thomas O’Reilly appointed as independent board members for four years.

Local Authorities

• Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council – Gordon Mole appointed as chief executive from the summer.
• Nottingham City Council – Sharon Kemp appointed as commissioner from 11 April until 22 February 2026.
• Woking Borough Council – Richard Carr appointed as chief executive commissioner.

Industry

Interest Groups

• Combat Stress – Chloe Mackay appointed as chief executive from July.
• Making Music – Seamus McGibbon appointed co-chief executive; he will work alongside existing chief executive Barbara Eifler.
• NSPCC – Sir Peter Wanless to stand down as chief executive later this year

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