FCDO picks development veteran as new second perm sec

Nick Dyer is a former acting perm sec at DFID and has worked in government on development since 1997
Photo: Avpics/Alamy

By Tevye Markson

15 Jun 2023

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has appointed an international development veteran as its new second permanent secretary.

Humanitarian and development director general Nick Dyer will take on the second-most senior role at the FCDO, where he will lead the department's international development work.

Dyer has worked for 23 years in various roles at the Department for International Development from its creation in 1997 until its merger with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2020, including acting permanent secretary.

He has since held various roles at the FCDO, including his current position as director general, humanitarian and development. 

Dyer will continue to focus on international development in his new role, which he is due to start on 3 July.

Commenting on his appointment, Dyer said: “Helping to deliver the UK’s international and development ambitions, as second permanent under-secretary in the FCDO alongside Philip Barton, is a real honour.

“The FCDO is full of the most passionate, committed and brilliant people across the world, and I look forward to working with all our teams.”

Permanent secretary Sir Philip Barton said he was "delighted" to announce the appointment to the up to £160,000-a-year position, praising Dyer's "outstanding track record".

The department has been without a second perm sec since Sir Tim Barrow left to become national security adviser last September.

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