The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister,
has announced the appointment of Jo Shanmugalingam as the new
Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport (DfT).
Jo is currently the department's Second Permanent Secretary, and
has been serving as the Interim Permanent Secretary since stepped down last
month.
Jo started her career at the Department for Trade and Industry
and spent six years at the Shareholder Executive (now
UKGI). Her previous roles include Director General for
Science, Innovation and Growth at the Department of Science,
Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Business,
Energy & Industrial Strategy.
She will lead the department as the government rebuilds Britain
through growth and investment under the Plan for Change,
transforming transport infrastructure across the country and
making it easier to build new roads and railways.
Secretary of State for Transport, , said:
I'm delighted to have Jo appointed as Permanent Secretary for the
Department for Transport. Having worked closely with her since
taking up my role, I know she will provide exemplary leadership
as we deliver for this government and the public.
I'd like to once again thank for her many years of
public service - I can think of no one better to take over the
reins from Bernadette than Jo, and I look forward to working with
her to deliver this government's ambitious Plan for Change.
Cabinet Secretary, Sir , said:
I congratulate Jo Shanmugalingam on her appointment as Permanent
Secretary at the Department for Transport. Jo's valuable
experience and impressive track record in delivery make her well
suited to lead the department at such an important moment of
infrastructure renewal under the Plan for Change - building
transport services across the country that boost opportunity and
growth for working people.
I would also like to thank for her dedicated service
over 39 years in the Civil Service, in particular for her eight
years leading the Department for Transport.
Jo Shanmugalingam said:
I am honoured to be appointed Permanent Secretary at the
Department for Transport. Transport is fundamental to everything
we do, connecting people to friends and family, jobs and
training.
As a department we have a huge part to play at this critical time
in driving economic growth. I'm incredibly fortunate to continue
working with the talented team in DfT and across the transport
system, who I know are all just as dedicated to delivering
changes that make a real difference to people's lives.
The appointment follows an external recruitment competition
overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission.
