The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister
and Foreign Secretary, has announced the appointment of as the
Permanent Under-Secretary of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office.
The Foreign Secretary, , said:
“I am delighted that Sir Philip has been successfully selected as
the Permanent Under-Secretary of the new Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office. He is an outstanding public servant and
diplomat with experience across all areas of foreign policy.
“Philip is well placed to bring together the talent and expertise
of both departments while helping combine our foreign and
development policy in a way that is innovative, ambitious and
more integrated than ever before.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Sir Simon, one of the finest
diplomats of his generation, who helped successfully steer the
FCO during a remarkable period of change in the world. His legacy
of progress and modernisation will be part of the DNA of the new
department.”
The Cabinet Secretary,
, said:
“I am delighted has been
appointed to lead the formation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office. Philip will bring to the role an
understanding of overseas development funding together with
experience of international relations. Under his leadership, I am
confident that the new organisation will strengthen the UK’s
global leadership by aligning our development and diplomatic
efforts to bring more coherence to our international presence.
“I should also like to thank Sir Simon McDonald for his
leadership of the Foreign and Commonwealth office for the last
five years, and who has been leading the Department for International
Development on an interim basis since March.”
Commenting on his appointment, said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the Permanent
Under-Secretary of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office. I look forward to bringing together our diplomats and
development experts to deliver for the people of the UK and act
as a force for good around the world.”
Sir Philip will take up his new post next month, on September 1
