News story

New DESNZ Interim Permanent Secretary announced

Clive Maxwell appointed as new Interim Permanent Secretary.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Published: 31 October 2025

Clive Maxwell has been appointed as Interim Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

His term will begin at the end of November and will run until a new Permanent Secretary is in post. The recruitment process for a new Permanent Secretary will begin soon.

Clive brings a wealth of experience to the role as Second Permanent Secretary in DESNZ and previously the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

His interim appointment follows the appointment of Jeremy Pocklington as the new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence.

Published 31 October 2025