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New Permanent Secretary for the Department for Communities and Local Government

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, has announced the appointment of Sir Bob Kerslake as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, has announced the appointment of Sir Bob Kerslake as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Sir Bob, currently Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, will take up the post on 1 November.

The appointment has been approved by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State. It follows Sir Peter Housden’s departure from the Department in June to become Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government.

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, said:

I am delighted Bob has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at Communities and Local Government. He will bring a wealth of experience and credibility to the role, driving forward the new Government’s agenda for devolution of power and autonomy to local councils and neighbourhoods. I would like personally to thank Irene Lucas, who has done a tremendous job leading the Department as Acting Permanent Secretary since Peter Housden’s departure.

Commenting on his new role, Sir Bob Kerslake said:

I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to manage a major government department and drive forward the Government’s localism agenda.

The Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles MP, said:

I am delighted with Sir Bob’s appointment. He has an impressive track record in local government and I know he will make an invaluable contribution to the Department at a crucial time. I look forward working with him closely in the coming months.

Notes to editors

Sir Bob Kerslake

Sir Bob Kerslake was the first Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which he joined in March 2008. The Agency is the national housing and regeneration body for England, and has an annual budget of more than £4bn.

From 1997 to 2008 he was Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, the fourth largest in England. The Council achieved 4-star status under his leadership, and was Council of the Year in 2005. Previously, Sir Bob worked for the London Borough of Hounslow initially in the post of Director of Finance and then for seven years as Chief Executive. Before that he worked for the Greater London Council, handling transport finance, and the Inner London Education Authority, where he was responsible for more than £1bn of spending.

Nationally, he has been a non-executive board member at the Department for Communities and Local Government. He also served on the Equalities Review Panel and the National Employment Panel.

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Published 6 September 2010