Sir Chris Wormald will become the new head of the civil service and cabinet secretary later this month.
The prime minister has appointed him to replace Simon Case, who announced he was stepping down in September after four years in the role, including during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Partygate scandal.
Sir Chris, who has been head of the Department of Health and Social Care since 2016, will be the most senior government adviser to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Prime Minister said delivering on the government’s priorities meant “rewiring” the British state to deliver reforms.
Sir Chris will take up the post on December 16, after the PM said he would be responsible for the government’s “five missions”, which are at the heart of Labour’s reform plan.
The Prime Minister said: “He brings a wealth of experience to the role at a critical moment in the transition work of this new government.
“To change this country, we have to change the way government serves this country. That’s what mission-led government will do.
“From breaking down silos across government to harnessing the incredible potential of technology and innovation, it will require nothing less than a complete rewiring of the British state to deliver bold and ambitious long-term reforms. “
Sir Chris said the work would mean civil servants learning new skills in line with the government’s ambitions, adding: “It will require each of us to embrace the transformation agenda as the British state. works.”
A government source who is a fan of Sir Chris said: “He is a complete Whitehall insider, knows how the government works like the back of his hand and is exactly the kind of person you would hire. If you want to move a big agenda forward quickly.”
But former Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings, who served in No 10 during the Covid pandemic, criticized the appointment, writing on X: “The Westminster system is absolutely determined to resist any change. is.”
Had to make a case Step aside from the investigation Downing Street parties after it emerged she had hosted an event during the lockdown.
Thanking Case “for his service to our country and for his invaluable support to me personally”, Sir Keir Starmer added: “He has been a remarkable public servant for many years, and we wish him all the best. For K and his family, he now takes time to focus on his health.”