The Department for Energy and Climate Change has appointed Stephen Lovegrove as its new permanent secretary.
Lovegrove, currently the Chief Executive of the Shareholder Executive, replaces Moira Wallace who left DECC in October.
The selection of a new permanent secretary at DECC had become mired in controversy after the Prime Minister intervened to block the appointment of David Kennedy, the Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change.
Kennedy’s appointment to the role had been endorsed by senior civil servants and ministers, but Cameron argued that someone with more corporate experience was required.
Prior to joining the Shareholder Executive, Lovegrove had spent 10 years heading up the European media team of Deutsche Bank. He also sat as a board member of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Commenting on the appointment, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “We need to attract billions in private sector investment to build new power stations and to upgrade the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes. Stephen and I worked together for nearly two years when I was a Minister at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, not least on the reform of Royal Mail, so I know he will be a huge asset to DECC.”
