Defra appoints new second permanent secretary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed Nick Joicey as a new, second Permanent Secretary.

Joicey is currently a director general in the Cabinet Office. He will take up his new post in “the coming weeks”.

The second permanent secretary will act as Defra group chief operating officer and will oversee the Strategy and Science and Analysis groups within the department.

Current chief operating officer, Sarah Homer, will take up the role of director general for portfolio delivery.