Latest civil service & public affairs moves – February 21

Government departments

• Ministry of Defence: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – Dr Paul Hollinshead OBE appointed as chief executive, replacing Doug Umbers who has been interim chief executive since Gary Aitkenhead left the organisation in April 2021. Doug returns to his role as Dstl Chief Operating Officer. Ministry of Defence Police – Melanie Dales appointed as assistant chief constable, nuclear and marine.
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: government reshuffle continued – James Cleverly MP appointed as minister of state for Europe and North America, previously minister of state for Europe. Amanda Milling MP appointed as minister of state for Asia and the Middle East, previously minister of state for Asia. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon appointed as minister of state for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United Nations and the Commonwealth, previously minister of state for South and Central Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth. Iona Thomas OBE appointed British high commissioner to New Zealand and governor of the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands from August, succeeding Laura Clarke OBE.
• Department for International Trade: The latest line-up of chief trade negotiators announced – Charlotte Heyes for Canada, Graham Zebedee for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific (CPTPP), Tom Wintle for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Harjinder Kang for India, James Clarke for Israel, Charlotte Heyes for Mexico, Matt Davies for New Zealand, Graham Floater for Singapore and Graham Floater for USA.
• Ministry of Justice: HM Courts and Tribunal Service – Nick Goodwin appointed as chief executive from 14 March, following the retirement of interim chief executive Kevin Sadler on 25 March.
• Forestry Commission – Peter Latham OBE and Jennie Price re-appointed as forestry commissioners for three years from 1 April to 31 March 2025.
• National Savings and Investments – Jill Lucas re-appointed as a non-executive director to the board for three years.

Houses of Parliament

House of Lords

• Lord Chidgey (Lib Dem, life peer) died on 15 February.

Devolved administrations

Welsh Government

• Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales – Michael Imperato and Frank Cuthbert appointed as members.
• Welsh Language Commissioner's Office – Aled Roberts, Welsh Language Commissioner, died on 13 February.

Northern Ireland Executive

• Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service – David Small appointed non-executive (finance) member from 5 February 2022 to 4 February 2026. Michael Graham appointed non-executive (lay) member from 7 February 2022 to 6 February 2026. Brendan Garland appointed non-executive (lay) member from 21 February 2022 to 20 February 2026.

Local authorities

• Isle of Wight – Wendy Perera to be appointed interim chief executive, subject to council ratification.
• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council – Mark Parkinson appointed interim chief executive.
• London Borough of Redbridge – Claire Symonds appointed as chief executive from the end of May, subject to council ratification.
• Sheffield City Council – Eugene Walker appointed as interim chief executive while investigations continue into the chief executive Kate Josephs who attended a leaving drinks party during lockdown. Josephs remains on paid leave.

Industry

If you and your organisation would like to be included in this section, then email us at editor@dodsgroup.com

Interest groups

• Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity – Emma Guise appointed as director of marketing and communications.
• London First – Lesley-Ann Nash appointed to the Board; Angela Jain appointed as deputy chair, replacing Dame Inga Beale.
• Teenage Cancer Trust – Vimi Grewal-Carr appointed as trustee.

Regulators

• General Pharmaceutical Council – Gisela Abbam appointed as chair from 14 March.