Latest civil service & public affairs moves – February 26

UK Government

• Department for Business and Trade: Small Business Council – Andrew Bissell, Tania Boler, Mike Bristow, Tessa Clarke, Peter Davies, Neil Davy, Emma Heal, Alan Lowry, Tina McKenzie , Richard Marshall, Michelle Ovens , Gary Parlett, Julianne Ponan , Thomas Robson Kanu, Jordan Schwarzenberger, Roni Savage, Elizabeth Vega, Julie White and Debbie Williams appointed as council members.
• Cabinet Office – Cat Little appointed as civil service chief operating officer and permanent secretary to the Cabinet Office from 2 April. Shirley Cooper  appointed as crown representative for small businesses, replacing Martin Traynor. Office for Veterans Affairs – Anisha Worbs appointed as director.
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport: BBC – Dr Samir Shah  confirmed as chair from 4 March until 3 March 2028. British Film Institute – Micheal Birshan and Elanor Whitley re-appointed as governors for four year terms from 17 February.
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: DESNZ Board – Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson appointed as lead non-executive director for three years; Dame Mary Archer appointed as non-executive director for three years from 23 February.
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – Ross Matthews appointed as His Majesty’s ambassador to the Republic of Chad from the summer, succeeding Jon Dean who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
• Home Office: Independent Family Returns Panel – Helen Chamberlain re-appointed as chair.
• Law Officers – Anthony Rogers appointed as interim HM chief inspector from 27 February.
• Department for Transport: National Highways – Sir Gareth Rhys Williams appointed as chair. 

  He is due to start work at National Highways in April, but will continue as government chief commercial officer on a part-time basis while the Cabinet Office finds a successor.

• HM Treasury: Crown Estate – Sir Robin Budenberg ’s term as chair extended until July 2025; Dame Karen Jones re-appointed as board member for four years.

Houses of Parliament

House of Commons

• Justice Committee – Rob Butler discharged.

House of Lords

• Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell (Con, life peer) and Lord Moynihan of Chelsea (Con, life peer) were introduced in the House of Lords on 20 February.

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Devolved Administrations

Scottish Parliament

• Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee – Karen Adam appointed as convener.
• Conveners Group – Karen Adam added.
• Rural Affairs and Islands Committee – Emma Harper and Elena Whitham added; Karen Adam and Jim Fairlie discharged.

Scottish Government

• Fiona Hyslop confirmed as cabinet secretary for transport.
• Jim Fairlie confirmed as minister for agriculture and connectivity.
• Kaukab Stewart confirmed as minister for culture, Europe and international development.

Northern Ireland Assembly

• Business Committee – Cara Hunter and Claire Sugden added; Mark Durkan discharged.

Local Authorities

• London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council – Kim Bromley-Derry appointed as lead Inspector; Suki Binjal, Sir John Jenkins and Philip Simpkins appointed as Assistant Inspectors.
• Nottingham City Council – Tony McArdle appointed as lead commissioner; Margaret Lee appointed as commissioner.
• Orkney Islands Council – Heather Woodbridge appointed as council leader.

Industry

Interest Groups

• Action with Communities in Rural England – Corinne Pluchino appointed as chief executive.
• MS Trust – Lucy Taylor appointed as chief executive.
• Refuge – Abigail Ampofo appointed as interim chief executive from 4 March.
• SafeLives – Ellen Miller appointed as chief executive.
• Tree of Hope – Becky Andrew appointed and has started as chief executive.

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