The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Fiona Ryland (pictured) as the government's chief people officer following full external recruitment campaigns.
Ryland will join the newly created post in the autumn from her role at University College London, where she has been vice president of operations and chief operating officer.
She will help accelerate the delivery of key reform ambitions across the civil service, and will lead its HR function as it works in partnership with ministers to equip its staff to deliver civil service reform.
Ryland said: “It is a real privilege to join the civil service in this role. I am looking forward to supporting the tremendous work that our teams deliver for people across the UK.”
Cabinet Office minister Heather Wheeler added: “After a full external search, it’s great to see the Civil Service attracting such high calibre leaders to help sharpen our focus on delivering for the British public. Building a more skilled and efficient civil service is a key priority, supported by innovative use of the best technology available and Fiona will be at the heart of that work.”
Alex Chisholm, civil service chief operating officer and permanent secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Fiona to her new role, which is at the centre of our current civil service transformation. Setting the standard on people issues across the civil service is a tremendous opportunity to focus on skills and professionalisation. I look forward to working with her as we continue to reshape the civil service to meet our future challenges head on.”
