Prince William’s former private secretary today said he was “honoured” after being confirmed as the UK’s top civil servant.
Simon Case was appointed Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service as part of a shake-up by Boris Johnson and his most senior adviser Dominic Cummings.
He served as the Duke of Cambridge’s right-hand man for nearly two years before temporarily moving to Number 10 earlier this year to help with the coronavirus response.
The Prime Minister said: “Simon will make a fantastic Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. His years of experience at the heart of government and working for The Royal Household make him ideally suited for this crucial role.”
Mr Case, who was made permanent secretary at 10 Downing Street earlier this year, said: “It is an honour to be appointed. Over these few months of working on the Covid response, I have seen how much hard work is being done by the Civil Service to support the government and our country through unprecedented times.
"It is a privilege to come into this role to lead a service that is working day in, day out to deliver for people right across the country.”
His appointment comes after Sir Mark Sedwill announced he would step down from the post amid reports of tension with members of the Prime Minister’s team.
Former cabinet secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell said Mr Case needed to "restore trust" in Government.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It is a surprise to have someone so young but I congratulate him and he has a lot of experience inside Number 10, he’s had lots of different jobs so I’m sure he will grow into the role and I think the challenge for him is to restore trust in Government and restore the Civil Service’s trust - that’s what he’s got to get.”
Mr Case will take up his new post on September 9.
