HCA’s Sir Bob lands a job with Pickles

Sir Bob Kerslake is to leave his post as chief executive of the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) to take up a senior position with the government.

Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell has announced the appointment of Sir Bob as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Communities & Local Government (CLG). He will take up the role on 1 November this year. The appointment has been approved by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Communities, Eric Pickles.

“He will bring a wealth of experience and credibility to the role, driving forward the new Government’s agenda for devolution of power and autonomy to local councils and neighbourhoods,” said Sir Gus.

Communities secretary Pickles added: “I am delighted with Sir Bob’s appointment. He has an impressive track record in local government and I know he will make an invaluable contribution to the department at a crucial time. I look forward to working with him closely in the coming months.”

While Sir Bob said: “I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to manage a major government department and drive forward the Government’s localism agenda.”

Sir Bob’s appointment to the role of Permanent Secretary at CLG follows the departure of Sir Peter Housden, who left in June to work with the Scottish government.

The HCA’s chairman paid tribute to the organisation’s outgoing chief executive. Robert Napier said: “While I am sorry to lose Bob, I would like to congratulate him on his appointment. Permanent secretary is the top civil servant post in an important arm of government and his appointment is a reflection of his outstanding skills and of the HCA’s track record of delivery.

“Bob has literally lived and breathed the HCA since he was appointed just over two years ago, and along with the hard work and commitment of all our staff, he has played a major part in our success to date. Looking forward we have a continuing and evolving, as well as a business to run as usual, and over the coming months we will continue to deliver against our current programmes while we shape our new way of doing business.”