A former Ministry of Justice second permanent secretary has been appointed to the department’s top job.
Jo Farrar, who is currently chief executive at the public body NHS Blood and Transplant, has been picked as the new permanent secretary of the MoJ.
Farrar was second perm sec at the MoJ from 2021 to 2023, and had a remit covering HM Prison and Probation Service, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Legal Aid Agency, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. She also held the role of chief exec of HMPPS from 2021 to 2022.
She will take on the post vacated by Dame Antonio Romeo, who became the new Home Office perm sec following Sir Matthew Rycroft’s departure at the end of March.
Farrar said it is “a genuine privilege” to be appointed to the role.
“I have seen first-hand the remarkable dedication and expertise that colleagues bring every day—protecting the public, supporting victims, and upholding the rule of law,” she added.
“I am full of pride and excitement to lead the department and work with the lord chancellor and ministers to deliver our vital mission.”
Through the Plan for Change, the Moj is focused on the ‘safer streets’ mission—working to reduce serious harm and increase public confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.
Cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald, who announced the appointment with the approval of the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said Farrar’s “deep experience of the justice sector and impressive track record on delivery make her excellently suited to lead the MoJ at this time and drive delivery of the department’s missions under the Plan for Change”.
Wormald also thanked Romeo for her “excellent leadership” of the MoJ over the last four years and Amy Rees for temporarily taking on the reins of the department since Romeo’s departure.
Rees will continue in her role as interim perm sec until Farrar takes up the position. Phil Copple and Michelle Jarman-Howe will continue as interim chief executive and interim director general of operations at HMPPS, respectively.
Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said she is “delighted to welcome Jo back to the Ministry of Justice at such a pivotal time for the department”.
“I know that she shares my passion for reforming the justice system, protecting the public by cutting reoffending and supporting victims,” she added.
Mahmood said she is also “extremely grateful to Amy Rees for her exceptional leadership as interim permanent secretary during such a significant spring and summer for the department, and that she has agreed to continue in that role until Jo is in post”.