Latest civil service & public affairs moves – June 16

Appointments in the civil service, UK politics, and public affairs, via Dods People

16 Jun 2025

Prime Minister's Office – Axel Heitmueller appointed as the prime minister’s expert adviser on health
Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Horserace Betting Levy Board – Roger Devlin appointed as chair for four years from 1 July until 30 June 2029. National Citizen Service Trust – Amanda Timberg and Darren Xiberras re-appointed as board members for three years from 12 June to support with the wind-down of the trust.
Department for Education: Ofsted – Dame Christine Gilbert appointed as chair from 1 September.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – Baroness Curran resigned as minister of state for energy security and net zero
Ministry of Justice – Dr Jo Farrar appointed as permanent secretary
Department for Transport: Transport Focus – Kate Denham, Keith Richards and Rob Wilson re-appointed as non-executive directors from 14 August until August 2028.

House of Commons

Electoral Commission – John Pullinger re-appointed as chair until 30 April 2029
Paula Sussex appointed as parliamentary and health service ombudsman
Liaison Sub-Committee on National Policy Statements – Simon Hoare appointed as chair; Liam Byrne, Ruth Cadbury, Alistair Carmichael, Florence Eshalomi, Bernard Jenkin and Ruth Jones appointed as members.

House of Lords

Lord Strathcarron was Conservative, now non-affiliated
Conduct Committee – Tracey McDermott and Sir David Steel appointed as external members, replacing Mark Castle and Vanessa Davies.

Reform UK

Scottish Government

Reshuffle:

Màiri McAllan appointed as cabinet secretary for housing upon her return from maternity leave; previously cabinet secretary for net zero and energy
Gillian Martin appointed as cabinet secretary for climate action and energy; previously acting cabinet secretary for net zero and energy (maternity cover)
Maree Todd appointed as minister for drugs and alcohol policy, continues as minister for Sport; previously minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport
Tom Arthur appointed as minister for social care and mental wellbeing, previously minister for employment and investment; his investment responsibilities will be assumed by deputy first minister Kate Forbes
Richard Lochhead appointed as minister for business and employment; previously minister for business. Paul McLennan resigned as minister for housing. Alasdair Allan resigned as acting minister for climate action.

Welsh Parliament

Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Executive

Department of Health – Dr Paul Rice appointed as chief digital information officer. Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute – Daphne Johnston, Tim McClelland, Alan Moore, Tom Tynan and Tom Wright’s terms as members of the board extended for three months until 31 August.
Belfast Metropolitan College – Jacqueline Dixon appointed as chair for four years from 11 June.
College Employers’ Forum – Gordon Milligan appointed as an independent convener for one year from 9 June. North West Regional College – Professor Malachy Ó Néill appointed as chair for four years from 11 June.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive – Jacqueline Dixon and Niall Sheridan appointed as Members of the Board until 31 May 2030.
Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency – Professor Pascal McKeown appointed as Non-Executive (Medical) Member and Hugh McPoland appointed as non-executive (lay) member until 1 June 2029. Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority – Derek Clydesdale appointed as authority member until 1 June 2029; Rodney Morton appointed as authority member from 12 June until 11 June 2029.

Stirling Council – Caroline Sinclair stood down as chief executive; executive director Brian Roberts will cover the role.
Walsall Council – Mike Bird (Con) elected as council leader; he was previously leader from 2018 until 2024

Read the most recent articles written by Dods People - Latest civil service & public affairs moves – 9 June