By Mark Smulian | 6 August 2014
The government’s chief operating officer Stephen Kelly has announced he will leave Whitehall to return to the private sector.
He will join business software firm Sage Group as group chief executive in November, where he will be paid £790,000 a year.
Kelly joined the Cabinet Office in 2011 from computer firm Micro Focus, and has led its Efficiency and Reform Group.
He said: ‘After immense consideration, I have decided to return to the private sector. I have always been passionate about supporting SMEs, and this role is an excellent opportunity for me to play a crucial role in creating jobs and growth.’
The ERG executive team and civil service heads of profession ‘have never been stronger and I believe that, with the appointment of the new chief executive for the civil service, central government will be further empowered to provide high quality services efficiently and to continue the reform agenda,’ he added.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said Kelly had been ‘a terrific leader of the government’s efficiency and reform programme which for last year alone saved taxpayers £14.3bn against a 2009/10 baseline’.
