The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the appointment of Nick Joicey as a new second Permanent Secretary.
Nick is currently serving as a Director General in the Cabinet Office. He will start in the coming weeks.
The second Permanent Secretary will act as Defra Group Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the Strategy and Science and Analysis groups within the department. Current Chief Operating Officer Sarah Homer will take up the role of Director General for Portfolio Delivery.
Welcoming Nick’s appointment, Defra Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein said:
“Nick has been appointed in a new second Permanent Secretary role as part of our work to build a Defra group that is designed to deliver for the future.
“I am delighted that Nick will be taking up this important role and I look forward to welcoming him back the department at this exciting time.”
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:
“Nick is a highly experienced public servant and will bring a wealth of knowledge from across government.
“I look forward to welcoming him back to Defra where he previously served with distinction as we continue to deliver on our exciting agenda to improve the environment and support our vital food, farming and water sectors.”
Nick Joicey said:
“I am thrilled to be joining Defra as Second Permanent Secretary and Group Chief Operating Officer and excited at the prospect of delivering on Defra’s ambitious agenda of improving our environment, rural communities and food, water and farming sectors.
“I know what a brilliant department it is from my time there as a Director General. I am looking forward to working with the brilliant teams in Defra, across government and in the sectors to see this agenda realised.”
