Lin Homer, currently chief executive at the UK Border Agency, has been appointed as the new permanent secretary at the Department for Transport

Homer will take up the post in January, following Robert Devereux's move to become permanent secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions. She has been chief executive of the UK Border Agency since 2005, previously working as chief executive at Birmingham and Suffolk councils after a career in local government.

Commenting on her new role, Homer said she is "very excited to be taking on this role at such an important time for transport".

“The department has to contribute to the country's economic growth and also help to promote quality of life and the green agenda. As the last few days have shown, it has got to be able to focus on keeping the country moving at times of severe weather, whilst planning the transport system for the next few decades. I hope to be able to add my experience to that agenda."

Cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell said Homer brings “ a wealth of leadership experience in some of the country's most important public service delivery bodies”, and thanked Devereux for his successful leadership of the transport department.

Transport secretary Philip Hammond said Homer would complete a restructuring process started by Devereux, which “will leave the department well positioned to support economic growth and carbon reduction in a world of reduced public expenditure".

Written by CSW