Joe Griffin appointed top civil servant at the Scottish
Government.
Joe Griffin has been appointed Permanent Secretary to the
Scottish Government and will take up post in April
2025.
Mr Griffin has served as a Director General in the Scottish
Government since 2021 and led across a range of policy and
delivery priorities during his 29 years in the Civil Service,
including delivery of the expansion of Early Learning and
Childcare to 1,140 hours per week, the same level as primary
school.
This appointment has been made formally by the UK Cabinet
Secretary, , on the agreement of the
First Minister, , and the recommendation of the
First Civil Service Commissioner. Mr Griffin will succeed
John-Paul Marks, who will take up the role of First Permanent
Secretary and Chief Executive of His Majesty's Revenue and
Customs (HMRC).
As chief official policy adviser, the Permanent Secretary works
closely with the First Minister across the full range of
responsibilities, including major strategic and policy issues,
and is Secretary to the Scottish Cabinet.
The First Minister, , said:
“My thanks to JP Marks for his devoted public service and
leadership of the Civil Service. My Cabinet and I are grateful
for the invaluable advice he has provided during his time at the
Scottish Government. I join with so many across the Scottish
public sector and beyond in wishing JP every success in his new
role at HMRC.
“I welcome Joe Griffin's appointment as Permanent Secretary of
the Scottish Government. He brings a wealth of experience to this
role from his distinguished career in the Civil Service. I
know from his record of delivery, not least on the massive
expansion of early learning and childcare that he led, that Joe
will deliver an unyielding focus on delivering for the people of
Scotland.”
UK Cabinet Secretary Sir said:
“I would like to congratulate Joe on his appointment. He
brings extensive experience from his roles at Scottish
Government, including as Director General for Strategy and
External Affairs and previously Director General for Education
and Justice. Joe is well placed to lead the organisation and
provide excellent support to Ministers.
“I would like to thank JP Marks for his leadership of the
Scottish Government over the last three years.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joe Griffin said:
“It is a privilege to be appointed Permanent Secretary and lead
the Civil Service in the Scottish Government. I am grateful
to the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for this
opportunity.
“My focus will be on working with colleagues and partners to
drive progress and deliver the government's four priorities;
eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the
climate emergency, and ensuring high quality and sustainable
public services. I look forward to leading the organisation as we
deliver in the service of Scotland.”
Background
As the principal accountable officer for the Scottish Government,
the Permanent Secretary is personally responsible to the Scottish
Parliament for the exercise of their responsibilities. This
includes the management of the Scottish Government's budget and
the economic, efficient and effective use of all related
resources.
Joe Griffin is currently Director General Strategy and External
Affairs and has served as a Director General in the Scottish
Government since 2021. Joe brings a wealth of experience leading
across a range of policy and delivery priorities, including
external affairs, intergovernmental relations, strategic
cross-cutting policy alignment and the education and justice
briefs. He is also DG ally for the Race Equality Network.
Mr Griffin was previously Director of Early Learning and
Childcare where he worked in partnership with local government to
successfully expand services to 1,140 eligible two year olds, and
all three and four year olds.
Earlier in his career Joe was a diplomat at the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office which included postings to New York and
Paris.
