HM Treasury names head of government finance profession

HM TREASURY has promoted Richard Douglas to head of the government finance profession.

Douglas (pictured above) is currently director general of policy, strategy and finance at the Department of Health and will continue these duties in addition to his latest promotion.

CIPFA qualified Douglas is the longest standing director general of finance in central government and has been a board member at the Department of Health since 2001.

He was most recently finance director of national savings and investments at the department and prior to that was acting permanent secretary between July and November last year.

This is his third role with the health department. Douglas took a secondment from the National Audit Office (where he started his finance career) in 1990-1992 and worked there again in 1996 for three years as deputy director of finance.

He succeeds Jon Thompson who is stepping down after three years in the role.

Nick Macpherson, permanent secretary at HM Treasury, said: "I am incredibly pleased that Richard Douglas is taking on this important role. The profession will benefit from his wealth of experience and expertise.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jon Thompson for his leadership of the profession over the last three years."

Douglas said: "I am delighted to be taking on this role at such a pivotal time in central Government."