Latest civil service & public affairs moves – April 11

UK government

• Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Charity Commission – Orlando Fraser appointed as chair for three years from 25 April, following a pre-appointment hearing with the DCMS Select Committee.
• Ofcom – Lord Grade of Yarmouth appointed as chair for four years from 1 May to 30 April 2026, following a pre-appointment hearing with the DCMS Select Committee. He will move from the Conservatives to the Crossbenches in the Lords. Channel 4 – Sir Ian Cheshire appointed as chair for three years from 11 April.
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Sea Fish Industry Authority Board – Linda Rosborough re-appointed as non-executive board member until 27 February 2025.
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – David Quarrey CMG appointed as the UK's permanent representative to NATO, succeeding Dame Sarah MacIntosh DCMG who will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment. George Hodgson appointed as Her Majesty’s ambassador to the Republic of Colombia from September, succeeding Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG who will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment. Juliette John appointed as Her Majesty’s ambassador to the Republic of Senegal and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea-Bissa, succeeding Victoria Billing OBE. Nigel Phillips CBE appointed as governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha from August, succeeding Dr Philip Rushbrook.
• Government Equalities Office – Iain Anderson resigned as the UK’s LGBT+ business champion.
• Ministry of Justice: National Mental Capacity Forum – Dr Margaret Flynn appointed as chair for three years until 6 March 2025. Youth Justice Board – Brian Tytherleigh re-appointed as member for three years.
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – Dame Alison Nimmo DBE appointed as interim lead non-executive director to DLUHC's departmental board until 30 September.
• HM Treasury: Financial Conduct Authority – Laura Dawes and Dominic Cashman appointed as directors of authorisations from late April and early May.
• Competition and Markets Authority – Sorcha O'Carroll appointed as senior director of mergers.

Houses of Parliament

House of Lords

• Lord Lea of Crondall (non-affiliated, life peer) retired from the House of Lords on 7 April.
• Lord Christopher (Lab, life peer) has returned from a leave of absence.

Political parties

Conservatives

• David Warburton, MP for Somerton and Frome, party whip suspended.

Devolved administrations

Scottish Government

• Louise Macdonald OBE appointed as interim director general economy for 11 months from 2 May.
• David Martin, Belinda Oldfield and Jenny Stewart appointed as non-executive directors for the Scottish Government.
• Professor Andrew Morris appointed as chair of the Scottish Government’s Standing Committee on Pandemic Preparedness (SCoPP).

Welsh Government

• Heléna Herklots CBE re-appointed as older people's commissioner for Wales for two years from 20 August.

Northern Ireland Executive

• Executive Office – Aodhán Connolly appointed as head of NI Executive Office in Brussels from 25 April.

Local authorities

• Dumfries and Galloway Council – Dawn Roberts appointed as chief executive. She moves from Cumbria County Council and will take up her new role in July 2022.
• Lambeth Council – Andrew Travers to stand down as chief executive; Bayo Dosunmu, currently the council’s deputy chief executive is due to replace him, subject to the approval of full council in May.
• Perth and Kinross Council – Council leader Murray Lyle (Con) will not be standing for re-election as a Councillor in May.
• Wealden District Council – Bob Standley (Con) will step down as council leader and leader of the Conservative Group on the council at an AGM at the end of April.

Industry

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Interest groups

• Bloody Good Period – Rachel Grocott appointed as chief executive from May, succeeding founder Gabby Edlin wo will stand down after five years in the role.
• Development Trusts Association Scotland – Pauline Smith appointed as chief executive from early July.
• St John – Stuart Shilson LVO appointed as prior of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Order of St John and Chair of St John Ambulance later in the spring.
• Seafarers’ Charity – Catherine Spencer to stand down as chief executive 6 July.