Gareth Davies Appointed as New Home Office Permanent Secretary

Tuesday, 24 March 2026 14:04

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Gareth Davies CB as the new Permanent Secretary at the Home Office. Gareth is currently Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business and Trade. He has previously held senior roles across government in business, transport and Downing Street. He started his career in the private sector, and has worked across Europe and south east Asia. Gareth set up the Department for...Request free trial

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Gareth Davies CB as the new Permanent Secretary at the Home Office.

Gareth is currently Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business and Trade. He has previously held senior roles across government in business, transport and Downing Street. He started his career in the private sector, and has worked across Europe and south east Asia.

Gareth set up the Department for Business and Trade and has led it over the last three years. During this time, the department secured major trade deals including with India and the United States, landed major investments, hosted the International Investment Summit, launched the Industrial Strategy, and passed the Employment Rights Act.

Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, said:

Gareth Davies brings decades of experience in senior government and private sector roles, and a strong record of delivery supporting British trade and industry and transforming departments.

I look forward to working with Gareth as we drive forward the most significant reforms to policing and migration in generations, and deliver our mission to keep the British public safe and restore order to our borders.

I would also like to thank Dame Antonia Romeo for her exceptional leadership of the department, and Simon Ridley for his valuable counsel while serving as Acting Permanent Secretary in recent months.

Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, said:

This is an important appointment for the Home Office and the Civil Service. Gareth is a brilliant permanent secretary who brings a wealth of experience of delivery and innovation from the public and private sectors. The Home Office is charged with delivery of some of the Government's highest priorities, and Gareth is strongly suited to grip delivery and productivity in support of the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister.

I would also like to thank Simon Ridley for his strong leadership of the department in the interim period.

Gareth Davies CB said:

It's an honour to be appointed Permanent Secretary of the Home Office - one of the great offices of state. There's no more important agenda in government than keeping the country safe and secure.

I'm looking forward to working with the amazing team of civil servants to deliver the Home Secretary's priorities and build a department that is even more innovative and productive.

I would like to thank the incredible team at the Department of Business and Trade. They should be very proud of the difference they make to the lives of families and communities across our country.

The appointment has been agreed by the First Civil Service Commissioner and the Prime Minister.

Gareth Davies will start as Home Office Permanent Secretary on the 6th April. The Cabinet Secretary will announce arrangements for his replacement as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business and Trade shortly.