11 September 2008
The Ministry of Justice has appointed a new Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director General for its Corporate Performance Group.
Carolyn Downs - who will take up her new role early in 2009 - is currently Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council.
Carolyn has 26 years' experience in local government - 18 years in a senior management role and for the last five years at the highest level as a County Council Chief Executive in Shropshire, which was recently declared as the best performing county council in the country.
The Justice Secretary welcomes Carolyn's appointment. Suma Chakrabarti, Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary, said:
'I am delighted that Carolyn will be joining my senior team, given her track record in Shropshire. She is currently one of our Non-Executive Directors and I have had the chance to see first hand the added value she brings.
'This is a key role for the Ministry of Justice and, given Carolyn's past success and experience, I know she will perform very well.'
Of her appointment, Carolyn Downs said:
'I am very excited about taking up this role and thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute further to the work of the Ministry of Justice and the wider Civil Service. I am looking forward to working with people across the organisation.'
Notes to editors:
The Ministry of Justice was formed on 9 May 2007, and includes the National Offender Management Service from the Home Office, and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
Carolyn Downs will join the Ministry of Justice from Shropshire County Council where she has been Chief Executive since April 2003. She is currently Chair of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Youth Offending Board and has been appointed by the Secretary of State, Department of Communities and Local Government to the Lifting the Burdens Task Force. She was appointed a Non-Executive Director to the Ministry of Justice earlier this year.
Carolyn has an MA from UCL in Library and Information Studies.