Latest civil service & public affairs moves – March 25

UK Government

• Cabinet Office: Civil Service Commission – Elizabeth Hambley, Tony Poulter and Dr Neil Wooding appointed as commissioners for five years.
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport: BBC’s Future Funding Expert Panel – Sir Peter Bazalgette, Helen Bower Easton, Dame Frances Cairncross, Amber de Botton, David Elstein, Oli Hyatt, Martin Ivens, Siobhan Kenny and Lorna Tilbian appointed as members. National Gallery – Andrew Marr appointed as cultural/academic trustee for four years. Sports Ground Safety Authority – Derek Wilson re-appointed as chair for three years. UK Sport Board – Ismail Amla and Chris Pilling re-appointed as members for four years from 29 April.
• Department for Education: Social Work England – Andrew McCollough’s term as interim chair of the board extended for three months; Simon Lewis appointed as non-executive director for three years.
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Alternative Dispute Resolution Taskforce for Electricity Network Infrastructure – Julian Smith appointed as chair for one year from 18 March. Committee on Climate Change – Professor Keith Bell’s term as member extended until April 2025. Civil Nuclear Police Authority – Andrew Harvey and Chris Pilgrim re-appointed for three years from 3 January 2025 until 2 January 2028.
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Jorge Martin-Almagro appointed as UK deputy chief veterinary officer for international affairs; has been interim UK deputy chief veterinary officer since July 2023.
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – Andrew Mitchell (editor's note: not the FCDO minister) appointed as His Majesty’s ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from September, succeeding Jill Gallard who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Nathaniel Copsey appointed as His Majesty’s ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria from August, succeeding Dr Rob Dixon who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. James Dauris appointed as His Majesty’s ambassador to the Republic of Panama, succeeding Tim Stew who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
• Department of Health and Social Care: Food Standards Agency – Lord Blencathra and Fiona Gately re-appointed as members for three years from 1 June.
• Home Office: Disclosure and Barring Service – Dr Gillian Fairfield re-appointed as chair for two years from 1 December. Security Industry Authority – Duncan Worsell appointed as non-executive director from 15 March.
• Ministry of Justice: Independent Office for Police Conduct – Rachel Watson appointed as director-general.
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department of Health and Social Care: Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission – Scott Mitchell appointed as people’s champion from 20 March; Dr Ruth McKernan appointed as chair of Scientific Advisory Board.
• Department for Transport – Alex Hynes appointed as director-general, rail services for two years from April.
• HM Treasury: Monetary Policy Committee – Dr Catherine L Mann re-appointed as external member for three years until 31 August 2027.
• Non-ministerial departments: National Savings and Investments (NS&I) – Gerard Lemos appointed as chair for three years from 1 April; Luke Jensen and Melanie Moreland appointed as non-executive directors for three years from 1 April.

Houses of Parliament

House of Commons

• Committee of Public Accounts – Matt Warman added; Jeremy Quin discharged.

Parties

Welsh Labour

• Vaughan Gething elected as leader on 16 March.

Devolved Administrations

Scottish Government

• Emma Martins appointed to lead an external review into the Scottish Government’s use of mobile messaging apps and non-corporate devices.

Welsh Government

• Mark Drakeford resigned as first minister on 19 March; Vaughan Gething appointed as first minister on 20 March, previously minister for economy.
• New Welsh Government announced on 21 March:
• Mick Antoniw appointed as counsel general-designate, previously counsel general and minister for the constitution.
• Jeremy Miles appointed as cabinet secretary for economy, energy and Welsh language, previously minister for education and Welsh language.
• Eluned Morgan appointed as cabinet secretary for health and social care, previously minister for health and social services.
• Rebecca Evans appointed as cabinet secretary for finance, constitution and Cabinet Office, previously minister for finance and local government.
• Julie James appointed as cabinet secretary for housing, local government and planning, previously minister for climate change.
• Lynne Neagle appointed as cabinet secretary for education, previously deputy minister for mental health and wellbeing.
• Ken Skates appointed as cabinet secretary for North Wales and transport.
• Huw Irranca-Davies appointed as cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, previously chair of legislation, justice and constitution committee.
• Lesley Griffiths appointed as cabinet secretary for culture and social justice, previously minister for rural affairs and North Wales, and trefnydd.
• Jane Hutt continues as chief whip and appointed as trefnydd, previously minister for social Justice.
• Hannah Blythyn appointed as minister for social partnership, previously deputy minister for social partnership.
• Jayne Bryant appointed as minister for mental health and early years, previously chair of the children, young people and education committee.
• Dawn Bowden appointed as minister for social care, previously deputy minister for arts, sport and tourism.
• Julie Morgan and Lee Waters have left the government.
• Clean Advisory Panel – Professor Paul Lewis appointed as independent chair.
• Hywel Dda University Health Board – Neil Wooding appointed as chair, subject to a pre-appointment hearing on 25 April.
• Swansea Bay University Health Board – Jan Williams appointed as chair, subject to a pre-appointment hearing on 25 April.

Northern Ireland Executive

• Agri-food and Biosciences Panel – Colin Coffey’s term as chair extended for five months from 1 April.
• Charity Commission for Northern Ireland – Kieran Donaghy re-appointed as commissioner to the board until 28 February 2029.
• Education Authority – Richard Pengelly appointed as chief executive from 15 April.

Local Authorities

• Slough Council – Stephen Brown to stand down as chief executive.
• Stockport Council – Caroline Simpson to stand down as chief executive in May.
• Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council – Damian Roberts appointed as chief executive.

Industry

Interest Groups

• Become – Leslie Morphy appointed as chief executive.
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation – Laurie Lee appointed as chief executive.
• Postal Museum – Sue Wilkinson appointed as chair.

Discover Dods People: Your ultimate stakeholder management solution. Dods People is a comprehensive online service that provides unparalleled access to political representatives and public affairs professionals across the UK and EU. Book your demo now to explore the power of Dods People