The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Jonathan Brearley as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Jonathan is currently CEO of the UK’s independent energy regulator Ofgem, where he has stood up for consumer protections and tackling energy affordability. He also has decades of leadership experience in Government and the energy sector, having led the development of the Climate Change Act as the Head of Office of Climate Change, and oversaw reform of the electricity market at the then Department of Energy and Climate Change.
He replaces Clive Maxwell who has served as Interim Permanent Secretary while a full external recruitment process was run.
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said
Jonathan has spent his career driving for Britain’s energy security and is a deeply experienced, dedicated and imaginative public servant. As we continue to deliver our clean energy mission to bring down energy bills for families and take back control of our energy with clean homegrown power, I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to lead the department.
I also want to thank Clive Maxwell for his excellent leadership as Interim Permanent Secretary over recent months. I have really valued his counsel and drive, and he has played a critical role in major successes for the department, from AR7 to the warm homes plan.
Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo said
Jonathan brings a wealth of energy experience from within the Civil Service and beyond. I’m delighted to welcome him to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and to the Permanent Secretary team.
I look forward to working with Jonathan and the team at DESNZ as they deliver the Government’s agenda on energy security and clean power.
I’d also like to thank Clive Maxwell for his brilliant leadership of the department during the interim period.
Jonathan Brearley said
It’s a real privilege to be appointed as Permanent Secretary at DESNZ at such a defining moment across UK Energy.
My time at Ofgem has been defined by the mission of protecting consumers and navigating the complexities of the UK energy transition. I am proud of what the team there has achieved, and I carry these lessons with me as I move into this new role.
Working alongside the Secretary of State, Ministers and the dedicated civil servants at DESNZ, I look forward to continuing the Department’s focus on bringing down bills and delivering clean, homegrown power.
The appointment follows an external recruitment exercise chaired by the independent First Civil Service Commissioner.
The appointment process for a new CEO of Ofgem will be set out by the regulator shortly.