Navees Rahman has been appointed as interim chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate. Rahman will be seconded from his current role as corporate services director at the Inspectorate.
His appointment follows the news at the end of July of Sarah Richards’ intention to step down from the position.
Rahman (pictured) was appointed as corporate services director at the Planning Inspectorate in 2016. He has been leading the professional services that support the work of the organisation, developing a performance culture, investing in technology and processes, and using its diversity to help it innovate.
As well as improving existing services, the directorate has been developing new capabilities in the digital and data fields to ensure that its public-facing services are digitally available and adhere to Government Digital Service standards.
The Inspectorate’s emerging capabilities in data ensure that it can both protect and exploit the valuable data that it holds.
Previously, Rahman has held senior director positions at other government departments, such as most recently being deputy director of project finance at HM Courts & Tribunal Service. He was also the head of financial planning at the ministry of justice UK.
In his new role, Rahman will lead the Planning Inspectorate, whose services are a core part of the English planning system, dealing with planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and other planning-related and specialist casework.
Simon Gallagher, director of planning at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said that the recruitment process for the permanent post has commenced, adding: “The leadership of the Planning Inspectorate is a pivotal role within English planning, particularly with the current focus on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill progressing through parliament.”
Trudi Elliot, chair of the Planning Inspectorate board and non-executive director, said: “In addition to his leadership experience within the Inspectorate, Navees is also bringing his experience of leadership positions across financial strategy, financial management, audit, governance and business partnering in executive agencies and central government departments to the role.”
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