Sir Chris Wormald, the long-serving permanent secretary of the Department of Health and Social Care, has been appointed as the UK’s new cabinet secretary, the highest-ranking role in the civil service.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer selected Wormald for the prestigious position as part of efforts to stabilize his Labour administration following a challenging first five months in office. Starmer’s announcement coincided with a planned government relaunch to address key challenges.
Wormald, who will officially assume the £200,000-a-year role on December 16, brings extensive experience to the position. The cabinet secretary’s responsibilities include advising the prime minister and cabinet ministers, overseeing the civil service, and driving government initiatives. “He brings a wealth of experience to this role at a critical moment in the work of change this new government has begun,” Starmer remarked on Monday.
Wormald emerged as the successful candidate after a competitive selection process that included three other finalists: Sir Olly Robbins, a former Brexit negotiator and the only external contender; Dame Antonia Romeo; and Tamara Finkelstein, both serving permanent secretaries. Starmer personally interviewed the final four candidates last week.
Wormald will succeed Simon Case, who announced in September that he would step down due to treatment for an undisclosed neurological condition. Case’s tenure saw him navigate a series of high-profile political challenges, and Wormald’s appointment signals a shift as the Labour government seeks to implement its vision for change.
