Department for Energy Security and Net Zero permanent secretary Jeremy Pocklington has been announced as the new boss at the Ministry of Defence.
Sir Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary, has appointed Pocklington to the role with the approval of the prime minister.
Pocklington will replace David Williams, who is leaving the civil service after 35 years, the last four of which he has spent as MoD perm sec. Current DESNZ second perm sec Clive Maxwell will take over as interim perm sec from the end of November until a permanent replacement is found.
Wormald said Pocklington’s “leadership and delivery experience”, gained as permanent secretary at DESNZ and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, “make him excellently suited to lead the MoD at this critical time”.
He also thanked Williams for his “excellent leadership of the department over the last four years and his exceptional public service over the last 35 years”.
Defence secretary John Healey added: “I am very pleased to welcome Jeremy to the department. In this new era for defence, his leadership will help drive the delivery of our Strategic Defence Review, make defence an engine for growth and ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad.”
Healey also praised Williams, saying he is “deeply grateful” for his “dedication in leading defence over the last four and half years, and for the support he has given to me and my ministerial team over the past year”.
“I have huge respect for his commitment to public service, which I know is widely shared,” he added. “He has helped to deliver on the government’s priorities, and he has put people at the heart of defence. David has so much to be proud of throughout his career and in this role as permanent secretary. I wish him all the very best for the future.”
Pocklington began his career at HM Treasury as a policy adviser. He got his first director-level job at the Cabinet Office in 2009 and his first director general-level position in 2015 at the then-Department of Energy and Climate Change. He joined the perm sec ranks in 2020, taking the top job at MHCLG.
He then became DESNZ’s first perm sec in February 2023 following a reorganisation by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak which led to the creation of several new departments.
Pocklington said the appointment is a “huge privilege” and that he is looking forward to working with the defence secretary, the ministerial team, and “our outstanding military and civilian teams across defence to drive forward defence reform”.
“This is a pivotal time for defence as we transform to deliver the Strategic Defence Review and ensure we protect the UK and our interests,” he said.
Pocklington also thanked his colleagues at DESNZ “for their brilliant work over the last three years”, adding, “I am proud of how much we collectively achieved.”
The appointment follows an external recruitment exercise chaired by the independent first civil service commissioner.