Jo Shanmugalingam appointed New Permanent Secretary at Department for Transport

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Jo Shanmugalingam as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport (DfT).

Shanmugalingam is currently the department’s Second Permanent Secretary, and has been serving as the Interim Permanent Secretary since Bernadette Kelly stepped down last month. Kelly led the Department for the last eight years during which time the country has had five Prime Ministers and six Transport Secretaries.

Shanmugalingam started her career at the Department for Trade and Industry and spent six years at the Shareholder Executive (now UKGI). Her previous roles include Director General for Science, Innovation and Growth at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

She will lead the department as the government puts transport infrastructure as the central enabler of its Plan for Change.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said “I’m delighted to have Jo appointed as Permanent Secretary for the Department for Transport. Having worked closely with her since taking up my role, I know she will provide exemplary leadership as we deliver for this government and the public.

“I’d like to once again thank Bernadette Kelly for her many years of public service - I can think of no one better to take over the reins from Bernadette than Jo, and I look forward to working with her to deliver this government’s ambitious Plan for Change.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said “I congratulate Jo Shanmugalingam on her appointment as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport. Jo’s valuable experience and impressive track record in delivery make her well suited to lead the department at such an important moment of infrastructure renewal under the Plan for Change - building transport services across the country that boost opportunity and growth for working people.”

Jo Shanmugalingam said, “I am honoured to be appointed Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport. Transport is fundamental to everything we do, connecting people to friends and family, jobs and training.

“As a department we have a huge part to play at this critical time in driving economic growth. I’m incredibly fortunate to continue working with the talented team in DfT and across the transport system, who I know are all just as dedicated to delivering changes that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The appointment follows an external recruitment competition overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission.