Tom Riordan, the former chief executive of Leeds City Council, has been appointed as  second permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Riordan served as chief executive of Leeds City Council for 14 years, where he oversaw reforms to integrate health and social care. This work included prioritising preventative health measures and tackling health disparities to improve public health and protect the health system.  

Riordan said: "I’m really excited to be joining the team at the department and coming back to the Civil Service where I started my career. There are few bigger challenges than health and social care, and not many bigger opportunities to make a positive difference to people. I’ll miss my brilliant colleagues and partners in Leeds, and in the local government family, and it’ll be great to be working in the city now as a stakeholder. I can’t wait to get started."

DHSC permanent secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, said: "Tom has a fantastic record in health reform, public service and local government, and I am delighted he will be bringing his expertise and leadership to the department. I very much look forward to welcoming him at the end of the month and working together to deliver on the government’s health mission."

Secretary of state for health and social care, Wes Streeting, said: "I am delighted to be welcoming Tom to this role. He is a proven public service reformer with extensive experience in health and social care system transformation and preventative healthcare. His experience will be invaluable as we deliver the mission of this government to build an NHS and social care system fit for the future."