Sir Richard Heaton KCB

Biography

Sir Richard Heaton KCB was Permanent Secretary for MOJ from August 2015 to August 2020. Before that he was Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office (from August 2012).

Sir Richard started his career as a barrister, and joined the Home Office as a legal adviser in 1991. He then worked in legal teams across government, focussing particularly on criminal law, the constitution, and human rights law.

His recent legal and non-legal posts have been:

  • Director of legal services at Department for Constitutional Affairs (now Ministry of Justice)
  • Head of law and governance at Department for Work and Pensions
  • Director General for pensions and ageing society, Department for Work and Pensions

He was also First Parliamentary Counsel from 2012 to 2015.

In April 2014 Richard became the Civil Service Race Champion.

Previous roles in government

  • Permanent Secretary
    • 2015 to 2020
  • Permanent Secretary and First Parliamentary Counsel
    • 2012 to 2015