Jo will take up the post on 1 April, following an open
competition.
During a career spanning more than 30 years, Jo has gained
wide-ranging experience of leading complex public
organisations through times of significant change. At
present, she is Director General for Local Government and
Public Services at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and
Local Government – a role she has held since 2016. As part
of this, she has helped local government to deal with
significant increases in demand in a difficult financial
climate.
Before that, she served as Chief Executive first at Bath
and North-East Somerset Council and then at Bridgend County
Borough Council.
Prior to those roles, Jo spent 16 years in central
government – with both the Home Office and Cabinet Office.
Her public service career started in the Parole Unit of the
Prison Service, in 1987.
She succeeds Michael Spurr who is leaving the role after
nine years, as was announced in September 2018.
Jo Farrar said:
I am hugely honoured by the opportunity to lead HMPPS at
such an important time. It is a service that is critical
to protecting the public and helping people turn their
lives around. Early in my career, my work in prisons and
probation gave me a lasting commitment to public service
and a passion to make a difference. I am delighted to
return.
The issues we face in our prisons, and the need to put
vital probation services onto a strong footing, are well
known. Working alongside the dedicated people in all
parts of HMPPS, I look forward to addressing these
challenges and delivering improvement over the years to
come as we create an outstanding service of which we can
all be proud.
Sir , Permanent
Secretary, said:
Jo’s record of getting difficult things done in the
public service made her an outstanding candidate for this
job. She will provide energy, focus and humane leadership
as HMPPS emerges from several challenging years. It is a
tribute to Michael Spurr’s determination and skill, as
well as to the hard work of so many colleagues across
HMPPS, that Jo will arrive at a time of cautious optimism
for this incredibly important service. I look forward to
working closely with her as we consolidate and accelerate
this progress.
Rt Hon MP, Justice Secretary and
Lord Chancellor, said:
This is truly one of the most important jobs in the civil
service and I am delighted that HMPPS has secured a Chief
Executive of Jo’s undoubted calibre. Since taking office,
I have worked very closely with Michael’s team on an
ambitious programme of reform to prisons and probation.
His dedication during that time – and for many years
beforehand – has been outstanding. As HMPPS enters a new
era, under new leadership, I very much look forward to
working with Jo as we strive to deliver the world-class
service to which we all aspire.
Rt Hon MP, Communities
Secretary, said:
I am extremely grateful to Jo for her relentless
dedication and commitment to local government during a
period where the system has faced real challenges.
Her focus has been unwavering on doing the best for her
staff, as well as turning innovative policies on
communities and public service reform in to tangible
actions with real results. She is an example of the very
best of public service and I wish her all the best in her
new role.
Michael Spurr will remain as Chief Executive of HMPPS until
31 March.
