In a significant move, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has appointed Nick Joicey as its second Permanent Secretary. Joicey, who is currently serving as a Director General in the Cabinet Office, will assume his new role in the coming weeks.
Joicey's appointment is part of Defra's strategy to build a group that is designed to deliver for the future. As the second Permanent Secretary, he will act as Defra Group Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the Strategy and Science and Analysis groups within the department.
Defra Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein expressed her delight at Joicey's appointment, stating, "Nick has been appointed in a new second Permanent Secretary role as part of our work to build a Defra group that is designed to deliver for the future. I am delighted that Nick will be taking up this important role and I look forward to welcoming him back to the department at this exciting time."
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey also welcomed Joicey's appointment, saying, "Nick is a highly experienced public servant and will bring a wealth of knowledge from across government. I look forward to welcoming him back to Defra where he previously served with distinction as we continue to deliver on our exciting agenda to improve the environment and support our vital food, farming and water sectors."
Joicey himself expressed his excitement at the prospect of delivering on Defra’s ambitious agenda of improving the environment, rural communities, and food, water, and farming sectors. "I am thrilled to be joining Defra as Second Permanent Secretary and Group Chief Operating Officer and excited at the prospect of delivering on Defra’s ambitious agenda. I know what a brilliant department it is from my time there as a Director General. I am looking forward to working with the brilliant teams in Defra, across government and in the sectors to see this agenda realised," he said.
The reshuffle will also see Sarah Homer, the current Chief Operating Officer, taking up the role of Director General for Portfolio Delivery.
Joicey's appointment is seen as a significant step in ensuring Defra is equipped for the future, particularly in leading the department’s STEM-focused work. Prior to his current job at the Cabinet Office, Joicey held DG roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and at Defra, where he was DG for strategy, EU exit, and finance. He was also previously head of the policy profession at Defra, and a director at the Treasury.
