Tom Riordan Appointed as New Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Tuesday, 8 September 2026 15:14

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Tom Riordan as the new Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Tom is currently the Northern Growth Envoy. He has previously been Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care, and before that was Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities...Request free trial

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Tom Riordan as the new Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Tom is currently the Northern Growth Envoy. He has previously been Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care, and before that was Chief Executive of Leeds City Council.

Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, said:

Few people have done more than Tom Riordan to champion devolution, good growth and strong local leadership - which makes him the perfect appointment at a critical time.

I'm delighted he's joining MHCLG and look forward to working with him as we get on with building the homes we need, improving local places and giving communities more control over their future.

I'd also like to thank Dame Sarah Healey for her leadership of the department and Will Garton for his support as Interim Permanent Secretary in recent months.

Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, said:

I am delighted to announce Tom's appointment as Permanent Secretary for MHCLG. Tom's wealth of experience in central and local government, combined with his time as the Northern Growth Envoy and CEO of Leeds City Council, makes him ideally suited to lead MHCLG's crucial policy agenda delivering devolution and growth in every postcode.

I would also like to thank Will Garton for his leadership of the department in the interim period.

Tom Riordan said:

It's a privilege to be taking up such an important job to help ensure the whole country benefits from more affordable and safe homes, well run public services and strong regional growth. This feels like the right job at the right time as the Government devolves power, given how much I've valued working in local and regional government, and applying that learning to improving national policy.

The appointment follows an internal recruitment exercise chaired by the independent First Civil Service Commissioner.

Tom will start as MHCLG Permanent Secretary on 21 September.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

This is a Permanent Secretary level appointment, offered on a fixed term basis for five years.
Tom is currently Northern Growth Envoy, based in HM Treasury. Prior to that he was Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at DHSC and was CEO of Leeds City Council between 2010 and 2024.