Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence

Policy Leaders Fellow Alumnus, Centre for Science and Policy

David Williams CB was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence in April 2021 having served as Second Permanent Secretary in the Department for Health and Social Care since March 2020.

David led Finance and Group Operations at DHSC, having been Director General of Finance since March 2015, a role that became Director General of Finance and Group Operations in July 2016. As part of the Department’s senior team and an executive member of its board, David’s responsibilities included finance, strategy, system oversight and performance, human resources, workplace and Department transformation, commercial, procurement and property, and communications and engagement.

Earlier in his career, David held a number of senior posts in the Ministry of Defence, including Director General of Finance, Director of Financial Management, Director of Equipment Resources, and Director of Financial Planning & Security.

David was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for services to government finance in 2019.