03 June 2005
Wendy Thomson, the prime minister's principal adviser on public service reform, is to return to her native Canada to take up a professorship at McGill University in Montreal.
From September, Thomson will head McGill's School of Social Work and Social Policy.
Since 2001 she has run the Office of Public Services Reform, reporting directly to Tony Blair. She has also been part-time chief executive of the Local Government Leadership Centre since 2004.
Thomson said: 'I have been very fortunate in having had the opportunity to work with a number of highly skilled and committed people.
'However this appointment comes at the right time for my career and my family.'
PFjun2005