Jonathan Slater named new DfE Permanent Secretary

Jonathan Slater, currently the director general economic and domestic affairs secretariat at the Cabinet Office, has been named the new Permanent Secretary for the Department for Education (DfE).

Slater will take over from Chris Wormald, who is moving on to become Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health.

He described his appointment to the new role as a ‘tremendous honour’, saying he was looking forward to supporting Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to ‘give all of our children the very best education, protection and opportunity possible’.

Morgan said: “I’m delighted that Jonathan will be the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education.

“As well as his experience at the Cabinet Office, Jonathan will bring invaluable expertise in leading major delivery programmes at both the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence, as well as his background in local government. He is particularly well-placed to lead the department to deliver the next phase of our reforms to education and children’s social care, and I look forward to working closely with him.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Chris Wormald during his tenure as Permanent Secretary here. I wish him all the best as he moves to the Department of Health.‎”

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, said: “I will be sorry to see Jonathan leaving the Cabinet Office so soon. But he has a real passion for education and helping all children to fulfil their potential. I know he will do a great job at the Department for Education helping to support and deliver the government’s reform agenda. I wish him every success in building on the great work of Chris Wormald.”