John-Paul ('JP') Marks (born 1979–1980) is a senior civil servant who currently serves as the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, a position he has held since 2022 following the departure of previous office holder, Leslie Evans.
John-Paul Marks | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2022 | |
| First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon Humza Yousaf John Swinney |
| Preceded by | Leslie Evans |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1979 or 1980 (age 43–44)[1] Jersey |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge Boston University |
Prior to becoming Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, he previously worked in the UK Government's Department for Work and Pensions, serving as the Director General for Work and Health Services from 2019 to 2022 and Director General for Universal Credit Operations from 2018 to 2019.
Early life
editJohn-Paul Marks was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands. The son of Susan Marks and Dr Michael Marks, he attended the Victoria College.[1] He studied at Cambridge University from 1999 to 2002 and earned a MA in social and political science.[2] He attended Boston University, graduating in 2003 with an MA in international relations.[3]
Career
editCivil service
editMarks joined the UK civil service in 2004. In HM Treasury, he served as the Speechwriter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Marks spent much of his career before the Scottish Government at the Department for Work and Pensions, latterly as Director General. He served as Principal Private Secretary to Yvette Cooper and Iain Duncan Smith, and was Private Secretary to Mike O'Brien among other roles.[4]
Permanent Secretary; 2022–
editMarks was appointed as the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government on 1 January 2022. At the time of his appointment, Marks was said to be "committed to building a world-class, values-led civil service which excels in serving the public".[5] Upon commencement as Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, he assumed the role of leading the Scottish Government civil service, ensuring it delivers the "full range of devolved powers and duties set out in the Scotland Acts". As the principal accountable officer for the Scottish Government, he is primarily responsible and accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the exercise of his responsibilities as Permanent Secretary.[6]
As Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government, he is responsible for more than 7,000 civil servants working for the Scottish Government in Scotland, as well as other locations including Europe, North America and Asia. As Permanent Secretary, Marks is responsible for the development, implementation and communication of government policies.[7]
Personal life
editMarks is married with two children.[8] He currently resides in Scotland.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Morel, Julien (23 November 2021). "Jersey man chosen as next leader of the Scottish Civil Service". Bailiwick Express Jersey. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ "Scotland's First Minister 'delighted' to welcome Islander to senior role". Jersey Evening Post. 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ https://www.bu.edu/pardeeschool/2022/01/06/pardee-alumni-appointed-permanent-secretary-to-the-scottish-government/
- ^ "John-Paul Marks". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ "John-Paul Marks". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Permanent Secretary". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "Permanent Secretary". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "John-Paul Marks". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ "Permanent Secretary". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2 June 2024.