2 godzin temu
Sir Chris Wormald has stepped down as Cabinet Secretary, the UK's top civil servant, after just 14 months in the role. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer agreed to his departure today as part of a broader reset of his Downing Street operation following recent controversies.
The move comes as Starmer seeks to reshape his inner circle.
Starmer thanked Wormald for his service. «I am very grateful to Sir Chris for his long and distinguished career of public service, spanning more than 35 years, and for the support that he has given me over the past year,» the Prime Minister said. «I have agreed with him that he will step down as Cabinet Secretary today. I wish him the very best for the future.»
Unexpected Appointment
Wormald's appointment as Cabinet Secretary in December 2024 raised eyebrows. Starmer had previously expressed his desire to "rewire the British state," making the selection of a long-serving career civil servant an unexpected choice.
Wormald brought more than 35 years of civil service experience, joining the civil service in 1991 at the Department for Education.
Career Across Government
Wormald held senior positions across multiple departments throughout his career. After moving to the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2006, he joined the Cabinet Office in 2009.
He became head of the deputy prime minister's office after the 2010 general election, working alongside Nick Clegg. In 2012, he returned to the Department for Education before heading the Department for Health and Social Care from 2016, where he worked under seven different health secretaries.
Succession Speculation
Reports suggest Dame Antonia Romeo, the Home Office permanent secretary, as a potential successor. No 10 declined to comment on the speculation.
The swift departure marks another significant shift in Starmer's government structure as he attempts to stabilize his administration.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
