Former Second Permanent Secretary, Home Office

Policy Leaders Fellow Alumna, Centre for Science and Policy

As Second Permanent Secretary, Tricia’s specific responsibilities included leadership of the operational functions of the Home Office and its corporate capabilities. She was also race champion for the Home Office.

In February 2020 Tricia moved to the Home Office to become Director General for Crime, Policing and Fire Group and in April 2021 become Director General for Public Safety Group. Prior to joining the Home Office, Tricia spent most of her career in the Department for Transport (DfT) which she first joined in 1987. From 2016 to 2020 Tricia was Director General for Roads, Places and Environment, leading work on transport’s contribution to climate change, roads, traffic, road safety, sustainable travel, bus travel and the freight sector. She also led the department’s work on road transport aspects of EU Exit.

From 2013 to 2016 Tricia was the UK’s Director of Aviation, responsible for all aspects of domestic and international aviation policy, including aviation security. Tricia’s earlier roles included a 3 year loan to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to run the transport desk at the British Embassy in Washington DC. She has also held posts in ministerial private offices and spent 2 years at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) working with Jonathon Porritt setting up the multi-sector Sustainable Development Commission.

Tricia is originally from Northern Ireland and is married with 3 children. She was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours 2019.