The news was announced on March 9th, following an earlier announcement that the current permanent secretary, Jon Thompson, would be moving to HMRC. 

Stephen Lovegrove has headed up the DECC team since February 2013. Previously, he had been chief executive of the Shareholder Executive and a director general at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. He is a member of both the Civil Service Management Board and the Civil Service Learning Board.

"Prospect has enjoyed good relations with Mr Lovegrove during his time at DECC, and looks forward to working with him during a very challenging time ahead at MoD," said Steph Marston, Prospect's assistant secretary for defence.

"The union is mindful that MoD faces a significant challenge in implementing the outcomes of the Strategic Defence and Security Review while continuing to build, develop and motivate the specialist civilian workforce required for MoD to discharge its intelligent customer role in the service of the UK’s increasingly technical and complex defence needs.

"Prospect will be seeking constructive dialogue on issues affecting the MoD specialist and professional workforce, both in the immediate future and over the longer term."