Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has named Sir Chris Wormald as the new Cabinet Secretary, placing him at the helm of the civil service. The announcement comes with Starmer’s pledge to “re-wire the British state,” citing Wormald’s extensive experience as uniquely suited to the role.

Wormald, a career civil servant since the 1990s, previously served as the top official in the Department of Health, working under seven health secretaries. His tenure spanned key moments like the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he oversaw planning and response efforts. While praised by figures like Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid as a “natural reformer,” others, including former adviser Dominic Cummings, have been critical of his leadership.

Cummings accused Wormald of supporting flawed pandemic strategies, including alleged herd immunity discussions. He also referenced Wormald’s involvement in the infected blood scandal, where the civil servant apologized for inaccuracies in ministerial communications and later recused himself from related decisions.

Despite criticism, Wormald’s deep knowledge of the NHS aligns with Starmer’s priority of reducing healthcare waiting lists. His relatively low media profile is seen as a contrast to the high-profile tenure of Sue Gray, the prime minister’s former chief of staff.

The decision to appoint Wormald, though somewhat unexpected, has sparked debate within Westminster. Some hail his institutional expertise, while others view him as emblematic of an entrenched status quo resistant to reform. Wormald’s role will be pivotal in shaping Starmer’s government’s ambitious reform agenda.