Dame Sarah Healey has been named as the new permanent secretrary of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Healey, who is currently perm sec of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will replace Sir Peter Schofield, who is stepping down from the role next month. Healey will take up the role on 1 August.
Sarah Healey, who led the Department for Culture, Media and Sport before she joined MHCLG, said she is "delighted" to become the perm sec at a department which "touches millions of lives" and "excited by the opportunity to lead its ambitious reform agenda".
"I leave MHCLG with great pride in what we have accomplished together in the last 3 years, and sincere thanks to my colleagues there for their outstanding commitment and professionalism," she said.
Announcing the appointment with the approval of the prime minister, the cabinet secretary Dame Antonia Romeo said Healey's "impressive track record as a permanent secretary and civil service leader, following a 25 year career in the service, makes her an excellent fit to deliver welfare and pension reform, as well as boosting employment opportunities".
Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden said Healey has "an outstanding record across government, and that experience is exactly what’s needed as we work to support people to realise their potential at every stage of life – providing opportunities to those who can work and security for those who cannot".
Healey "will take forward our agenda to improve outcomes for customers through modern, connected, personalised services", McFadden added.
Romeo and McFadden also thanked Schofield for his 35 years as a civil servant, including eight leading the DWP.
"Peter was instrumental in steering the department through the pandemic, as well as the transformation agenda to complete the Universal Credit programme," Romeo said. She also praised his contribution "to the collective leadership of the civil service" over the last eight years.
McFadden, meanwhile, paid tribute to his" extraordinary commitment to public service" over 35 years.
Romeo will announce arrangements to replace Healey as MHCLG permanent secretary "shortly", the Cabinet Office said.