Second Permanent Secretary and Interim Director General, Commercial and Growth
Tom Riordan CBE
Biography
Tom Riordan is Chief Operating Officer and Second Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). He was appointed Second Permanent Secretary in September 2024.
Previously, Tom was the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council since 2010, during which time he led the regeneration of Leeds city centre and modernised services to improve children’s services and pioneer the Home First adult social care programme.
Tom undertook a secondment to NHS Test and Trace in 2020. His earlier career included Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward between 2005 and 2010, and earlier roles in the Department for Environment.
Second Permanent Secretary
The Chief Operating Officer and Second Permanent Secretary is responsible for:
- corporate governance
- ministerial and Parliamentary support
- corporate services (such as information technology and estates) and DHSC human resources
- correspondence and contact centre
Interim Director General, Commercial and Growth
Responsibilities include:
- commercial and growth strategy
- departmental and system commercial functions
- building strategic partnerships
- Office for Life Sciences, medicines and medical or care technology