IRRV Alert - week ending 7th August 2009

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Darra Singh appointed new Jobcentre Plus Chief Executive

 

 

 

31 July 2009

The new Chief Executive for Jobcentre Plus was today confirmed as Darra Singh, OBE.

Mr Singh, currently Chief Executive at Ealing Council, will take over from acting Chief Executive, Mel Groves, in the autumn. Mel Groves has been in the role on an interim basis since November 2008 following Lesley Strathie's appointment as Chief Executive of HM Revenue & Customs.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper, welcomed the appointment:

"I am delighted that we have been able to appoint someone of Darra Singh's experience and ability at this key point. I greatly look forward to working closely with him to ensure that Jobcentre Plus continues to lead the way in helping people back to work.

"I would also like to say a public thank you to Mel Groves for the leadership he has shown during these tough economic times. He should take real pride in what Jobcentre Plus has delivered under his leadership"

Incoming Chief Executive, Darra Singh, said:

"I am tremendously excited at the prospect of taking on one of the most important jobs in this country. But I also recognise the great responsibility that the job carries. People look to Jobcentre Plus as a means of helping them get back into work as quickly as possible. The fact that, even during a downturn, Jobcentre Plus helps thousands of people into jobs every single day is a testament to the skill and dedication of its staff. I look forward to building on this already impressive record."

Leigh Lewis, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, said:

"I am delighted that we have been able to attract somebody of the calibre of Darra Singh to this key position. He has a proven record of delivery in a wide variety of roles and I am confident that he will provide Jobcentre Plus with the expertise and leadership to ensure that we continue to deliver for our customers when they need it most.

"Mel Groves has done a remarkable job and I am grateful for everything he has delivered for Jobcentre Plus. The organisation has faced unprecedented pressures and demands during his time as Chief Executive. It is in no small measure down to his leadership that it has continued to provide a first class service to help people back into work"

Notes for Editors

  1. Darra Singh is Chief Executive of Ealing Council having previously been Chief Executive of Luton Borough Council and Chair of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. He is also a non-Executive Director of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Coventry University in November 2008 for his outstanding contributions to community cohesion and social integration. His appointment follows an open competition and will carry Permanent Secretary rank.   Full details of Darra Singh’s CV are available on request.
  2. Jobcentre Plus employs some 75,000 people in its offices and call centres across the United Kingdom.

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Website: www.dwp.gov.uk


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