Martin Donnelly has been appointed Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The appointment has been approved by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State. It follows Simon Fraser’s recent move from the Department to become Permanent Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Donnelly takes up the post on 21 October.

Cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, said: “Martin will bring to the role a wealth of Whitehall experience, most recently as acting Permanent Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, combined with a very strong background in economic and business policy, including in the Treasury and as a senior partner at Ofcom.

“This experience will be vital in leading the Department through the challenging times ahead in promoting economic growth and innovation.

“I would also like to thank Philip Rutnam, acting Permanent Secretary, for his excellent work in steering the Department through the current Spending Review, since the departure of Simon earlier this year.”