news

New Permanent Secretary appointed at the Department for Transport

Posted: 19 April 2017 | | No comments yet

Bernadette Kelly has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the DfT following Philip Rutnam’s move to the Home Office.

Permanent Secretary

Bernadette Kelly is the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport

Bernadette Kelly has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport.

Permanent Secretary

Bernadette Kelly is the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport

“I would like to congratulate Bernadette on her appointment,” Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, said. “Bernadette has an excellent track record, having worked in a number of departments across government including most recently at the Department for Transport. She will bring that experience together with her strong leadership skills to her new role and I look forward to working with her on the challenges ahead.”

This follows Philip Rutnam’s move to the Home Office which was announced in February.

“I’m very pleased that Bernadette will be the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport,” Secretary of State for Transport, The Right Honerable Chris Grayling MP added. “Her knowledge and experience of the department mean she is very well placed to make an excellent start in her new role and I look forward to continuing to work with her.”

The Permanent Secretary sits on the department’s board and is responsible for the overall management of the department.

The role of the department’s board is to:

  • Ensure effective governance and properly manage risks
  • Shape and direct a shared agenda for the department as a whole, both to deliver ministers’ priorities and to build capability
  • Monitor performance and risk, making choices (or recommendations to ministers) on priorities/risk appetite.

“It is an honour to be asked to lead the department and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead”

On her new appointment, Ms Kelly commented: “I am delighted to be appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport. DfT is a great Department and I have hugely enjoyed working here in rail. It is an honour to be asked to lead the department and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

The appointment has been made by the Cabinet Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Transport.