Government appoints new permanent secretary at Defra

Prime Minister Teresa May has agreed the appointment of Tamara Finkelstein as the new permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Finkelstein (pictured) is currently serving as the interim permanent secretary at Defra and was previously the department’s director general for EU Exit.

Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, said: “This appointment reflects not only the significant contribution she has made to the department to date, but also the knowledge and experience she brings with her from an array of other important roles in government.” Environment secretary Michael Gove said: Finkelstein was “an outstanding public servant I have very much enjoyed working with,” adding: “I am very much looking forward to working with her.”