Profile: Dame Helen Ghosh
Dame Helen Ghosh, the most senior official at the Home Office, is resigning after a 33 year civil service career to take up the role of director general of The National Trust.
Having worked in Government since 1979 for both Conservative and Labour Ministers, her tenure included controversy at Defra over the Rural Payments Agency and more recently at the Home Office with concerns over the Border Agency.
Dame Helen is one of a number of permanent secretaries who have left the civil service this year. She said she was "torn about leaving" but the chance to work for The National Trust was "a rare opportunity".
Chris Bowlby assesses her career and the qualities that propelled her to the senior ranks in Whitehall and asks what they tell us about the approach she is likely to bring to her new role.
20 Aug 2012