New Permanent Secretary announced at Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Sarah has been Director General, Business Sectors at BEIS since July last year when she joined the department. Prior to that, Sarah worked at McKinsey, where she led their Strategy and Corporate Finance practice in the UK and Ireland. She has worked with some of the UK’s largest companies to change their strategic direction, and led much of McKinsey’s work on productivity across the UK economy.

Sarah will start in the role from Monday, 20 July. Sam Beckett, who has been temporarily in the role, will continue to provide support to ensure a smooth transition.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Alok Sharma, said:

The appointment of Sarah Munby as Permanent Secretary is very good news for the department and for this government. Sarah is an outstanding public servant who has already made a significant contribution to the work of the department, and I look forward to working with her as we deliver on the people’s priorities.

I would also like to pay tribute to Sam Beckett for her leadership, particularly in overseeing our support for businesses throughout this key period.

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, said:

I am delighted that Sarah Munby has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at BEIS. She has been instrumental in supporting businesses to help them prepare for exiting the EU and in responding to COVID-19, and brings with her a wealth of experience from her time as a Partner at McKinsey.

I should also like to thank Sam Beckett who has provided exceptionally strong leadership to the Department for the last 3 months following Alex Chisholm’s move to the Cabinet Office.

Newly appointed Permanent Secretary for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Sarah Munby said:

I am delighted to be taking on the role of Permanent Secretary at BEIS, building on the fantastic work of Alex and Sam. I feel so lucky to lead such a committed, talented and mutually supportive group of people.

The Secretary of State has laid out our priorities as we lead Britain’s recovery; fighting coronavirus, backing business, unleashing innovation and tackling climate change. This is vital work and our mission couldn’t be more important.

Acting BEIS Permanent Secretary Sam Beckett said:

It has been an honour to be Acting Permanent Secretary for BEIS over the past 3 months, I am very proud of the dedication and professionalism that the department has brought to the government’s response to the coronavirus. I wish Sarah the very best of luck in leading BEIS in its important mission for the future.