New Permanent Secretary for the Department of Energy and Climate Change

Alex Chisholm has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary for the Department of Energy and Climate Change. This follows the announcement that Stephen Lovegrove will move across to become Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence.

Alex, who is currently Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, was chosen following an open competition.

The appointment has been made by the Prime Minister in agreement with the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd.

Alex will take up his post at DECC on Monday 4 July.

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, said:

“I would like to congratulate Alex on his appointment to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. He has done an excellent job leading the Competition and Markets Authority over the last three years and will bring a wealth of commercial experience, a good understanding of the energy market and a strong track record of leadership to the Permanent Secretary role. I am very much looking forward to working with him.”

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd, said:

“I greatly look forward to welcoming Alex as DECC’s new Permanent Secretary. His experience across the public and private sectors, including most recently at the CMA, will be hugely valuable to our Department. This is an important time for DECC as we work to deliver the secure, affordable and clean energy our families and businesses can rely on now and in the future. Alex’s leadership will be vital as we continue our drive to improve the energy market, reduce people’s bills and build an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century.”

Commenting on his new role, Alex Chisholm said:

“I am delighted to be joining DECC at this important time for energy and climate change policy. I look forward to working with the Department’s ministers and officials, and getting to grips with the many different challenges involved in ensuring the UK has secure, affordable and clean energy supplies.

“It has been a great personal and professional privilege to lead the CMA in its formative period. I am proud of the CMA’s record in undertaking major market investigations into energy, retail banking, motor insurance, payday loans and private healthcare, handling over 150 enforcement, merger and advocacy cases, and adjudicating regulatory appeals in the electricity, telecoms and water sectors, in total delivering direct consumer benefits in excess of £1 billion. While I am sad to be leaving so many good friends and colleagues, the CMA is in good shape and I am sure will continue to deliver successfully on its important public mission.”