Residence Cardiff, Wales Employer British Civil Service Home town Rumney, Cardiff Citizenship Welsh Name Derek Jones Predecessor Gillian Morgan | Occupation civil servant Role Civil servant Years active 1973–present Alma mater Cardiff University | |
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Full Name Derek William Jones Known for Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government (2012–present) | ||
Board member of Cardiff University | ||
Sir Derek Jones, KCB was a Welsh civil servant, and served as permanent secretary to the Welsh Government. between 2013 and 2017.
Born and educated in Rumney, Cardiff, Jones then graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in philosophy.
On graduation he joined the civil service in Whitehall, London. After undertaking the post-graduate training scheme he joined HM Treasury, and then held positions in the Department of Trade and Industry. Jones then joined the Welsh Office in Cardiff in 1989, as Head of Industrial Policy. Holding a series of finance, investment and training positions over the following decade, as Senior Director in 1999 he became a key in the setting-up and early operations of the Welsh Assembly Government.
After failing to replace Sir Jon Shortridge as permanent secretary, in 2008 Jones left the civil service to join the governing board of Cardiff University as Director of Business and Strategic Partnerships with an honorary Professorship, tasked to commercialise the college's research and engage with business.
In September 2012, Jones was announced as the new Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government, replacing the retiring Dame Gillian Morgan. In June 2014, Jones was commissioned by First Minister Carwyn Jones to head the investigation into whether Environment Minister Alun Davies had breached the ministerial code when lobbying re the Circuit of Wales, which Jones in his report published on 1 July 2014 confirmed.
Married with two sons, his hobbies include surfing, keep fit and blues guitar. Appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2009 New Year Honours, Jones was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2014 New Year Honours list.