The Scotland Office has appointed a senior civil servant in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as its new director.
Fiona Mettam, currently director for energy development at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will lead a team of around 80 civil servants across the department’s offices in London and Edinburgh.
Taking over in August, she will replace interim director Anna Macmillan, who has been the department’s top civil servant since April. The previous director, Laurence Rockey, left the role in April to become chief executive of East Lothian Council.
Mettam, who has previously worked in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, HM Treasury and the European Commission in a range of policy, delivery and corporate roles, said: “It is a real privilege and honour to be taking up this important role to support the Scotland Office ministerial team in delivering their priorities for the UK government in Scotland.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Alongside her current DESNZ role, Mettam is also joint head of place for Scotland for the UK government, a role she fulfils jointly with Craig Ogilvie, director of the Making Tax Digital Programme at HM Revenue and Customs.
At the Scotland Office, Mettam will work closely with Scottish secretary Ian Murray to deliver on his key departmental priorities of growth, Brand Scotland, green energy and tackling poverty.
Murray said: “I am delighted that Fiona Mettam is joining the Scotland Office. Her very significant skills and experience will be a huge asset to the Office. I’m very much looking forward to having her on board, helping to deliver my four key priorities.”