Scotland’s top civil servant will step down in January after a prolonged period in the spotlight over the Alex Salmond scandal.
Leslie Evans will leave her post as permanent secretary on January 5, to be replaced by John Paul Marks, a senior official in the Department of Work and Pensions.
Evans was criticised by a Holyrood inquiry this year over the Government's botched investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Salmond, Scotland's former First Minister.
Salmond was awarded more than £500,000 as a result of the case after the investigation was deemed to be “unlawful” and “tainted by apparent bias”.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “grateful” to Evans for her service.
“The expertise and insight that Leslie has applied in leading the organisation through the notable and significant challenges of our day – such as EU exit and the Covid-19 pandemic – has been admirable.
“I join with so many across the Scottish public sector and beyond in wishing Leslie every success for the chapter ahead.”
The permanent secretary announced in June she would be leaving the post at the end of this year.
Marks said he was “delighted” to take the role, adding: “I would like to thank all the teams at the Department for Work & Pensions for their support and public service over the years.
“I look forward to joining the team in Scotland in the new year as we do our very best for Scotland in these important years ahead.”
The First Minister said of Marks: “I am delighted to agree the appointment of John Paul Marks as permanent secretary to the Scottish Government.
“John Paul brings a wealth of experience to this senior leadership role from his career in the civil service working across a range of policy and delivery priorities.
“I look forward to working with him over the years ahead as we recover from Covid-19 and deliver on the Government’s ambition to build a fairer, greener Scotland.”
The appointment of a permanent secretary is made by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case – the head of the UK civil service – with the agreement of the First Minister.
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