Government Skills
Last updated: 11 June, 2008
10 June 2008
Howell James CBE is standing down from his role as Permanent Secretary, Government Communication to take up a senior position with Barclays PLC.
Howell – who has been the Head of Profession for Government Communication and a member of the Cabinet Office Board since July 2004 – is leaving the Cabinet Office. He will take up his new role as Group Corporate Affairs Director at Barclays in the autumn, following the standard three-month waiting period for permanent secretaries set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
In the four years Howell has led Government Communication, he has brought together talent from both outside the Civil Service and within to create a respected and effective network across government. The Government Communication Network is an exemplar of good practice with a thriving community connecting colleagues and spreading best practice across government.
As a board member, Howell was involved in managing the Department's strategic direction, leading on staff engagement around the Cabinet Office capability review, and also took an active part in the wider life of the Department.
Commenting on his impending move, Howell said:
“It has been a great privilege to serve as the Permanent Secretary for Government Communication and before that to play a part in shaping the future of government communications as part of the Phillis Review Team. I have enjoyed being a member of the Cabinet Office Board and being part of changing the way we work together as a department and across government with our stakeholders. I have worked with many talented and dedicated people across the Cabinet Office and I would like to thank them all. I know that the Cabinet Office will go from strength to strength.”
Gus O'Donnell said:
“Howell has made an outstanding contribution to improving the standards of government communications and the status of professionals working in the field over the past four years as Head of Profession. He has led the way during a period of transformation in media and communications. He can be rightly proud of all that has been achieved during his tenure and I wish him every success in his new role.”
