The government has appointed a new high-profile civil servant.

Dr Megan Mathias MBE has been appointed chief operating officer for the Cabinet Office.

She comes to the island following a series of senior public service roles, most recently as ‘director of delivery and improvement’ in the Jersey’s Cabinet Office.

She holds a PhD in leadership in government, and was appointed MBE in 2020 for her role in Jersey’s Covid-19 response.

She is also a Trustee of Carnegie UK, and a Friend of the Royal Society of Arts.

The appointment of Dr Mathias as the Cabinet Office COO follows a review of the role of the chief secretary.

The new COO role, which will begin in November, will ‘support the delivery’ of government programmes and cross-departmental initiatives whilst also heading up central operational functions.

Dr Mathias said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to taking up my new post and to supporting the delivery of government programmes. I am excited to be working with new colleagues on our delivery of public services to the Isle of Man community.’

Kate Lord-Brennan, Minister for the Cabinet Office and chair of the Public Services Commission, said: ‘I am delighted that Megan will be joining the Cabinet Office and the Isle of Man Government public sector, especially as Megan brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. I am very much looking forward to working together to develop and continue to improve the functions and role of the centre of government and to deliver on the ambitions set out in the Department Plan and Our Island Plan.’