Brennan is new MoD permanent secretary

14 September 2010

Ursula Brennan will take over as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence from Bill Jeffrey in November.

Brennan was appointed 2nd permanent under secretary at the MoD in October 2008. In this position she has had responsibility for MoD business areas including acquisition reform, safety and governance and business process.

In a message to MoD staff she said: "It is a privilege to be taking over from Bill Jeffrey at this critical time for the MoD. As 2nd PUS I have seen the passion and commitment which defence inspires in our staff. We'll need all of that to deliver the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review and I look forward to working with you on the challenges ahead."

Sir Bill Jeffrey said: "Ursula Brennan is well-known and highly respected in the MoD and I wish her well. I very much welcome her appointment, and I am confident that the department will be in capable hands as we move to implement the Strategic Defence and Security Review over next few years. We have a lot of work to do in support of ministers over the coming weeks before I retire at the end of October and we will work closely together to ensure smooth transition."

Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell said: "I am delighted that, in Ursula Brennan, the Ministry of Defence will have a permanent secretary with the skills, knowledge and experience to lead the department to rise to the challenges it faces, including delivering the outcome of the current Strategic Defence and Security Review.

"I would like to thank Sir Bill Jeffrey for the outstanding role he has played in leading the Ministry of Defence over the past five years, and for his lengthy and accomplished record of public service."

Brennan was DG corporate performance in the Ministry of Justice before joining the MoD and spent much of her career working in what is now the Department for Work and Pensions.