Ian Watmore, permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office, is to leave at the end of June after a seven-year stint in the civil service. The head of the civil service, Sir Bob Kerslake, said the Government had “made great strides in transparency, procurement and eradicating waste in public spending” during his tenure.

Melanie Dawes, currently director general running the Economic and Domestic Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, will act as Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office while a successor is found.

Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “Ian has played an important role in establishing the Efficiency and Reform Group within the Cabinet Office. This group put in place tough cross-Whitehall controls on property, procurement and ICT in 2010. As a result we have helped departments deliver billions of pounds in cash savings for the taxpayer. He has assembled an enormously impressive team in ERG who will carry forward this crucial agenda.”

Sir Bob Kerslake, Head of the Civil Service, added: “Ian has established the efficiency and reform agenda firmly across government. Under his leadership, we have made great strides in transparency, procurement and eradicating waste in public spending – putting the government on track to deliver £9 billion in cash savings to date and double the amount of business going to SMEs, setting up the Government’s Digital Service and launching the first Government mutual joint venture. Ian has also led creation of the Major Projects Authority (MPA) that oversees projects worth in excess of £400 billion and the new Major Projects Leadership Academy to build the skills of senior project leaders across Government.”

Watmore, who was appointed chief operating officer of the Efficiency and Reform Group in June 2010, will now focus on non-executive and spousal roles in charity, sports, academic and church activities. He was previously chief executive of the Football Association.

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