Former Sun managing editor Richard Caseby has been named as the new director of communications for the Department of Work and Pensions.
Caseby left News UK (formerly News International) after 24 years with the company in August shortly after David Dinsmore’s appointment as Sun editor.
He was managing editor of The Sunday Times for 13 years before being made joint managing editor of The Sun and the News of the World in June 2011 – weeks before the hacking scandal erupted.
The new job is a non-political civil service role.
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When he left News UK, Rupert Murdoch paid personal tribute to Caseby saying: "Richard has been a loyal and distinguished executive, primarily on The Sunday Times but most recently on The Sun, guiding it skilfully through a turbulent period.
"I thank him for his passionate defence of our company and staff, and especially his astute counsel during the Leveson Inquiry. He is a steadfast colleague and one I have been glad to have fighting our corner."
Robert Devereux, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard Caseby to the department. He is a proven leader with experience in a range of senior posts. He will take charge of an excellent communications team at a vital time to ensure we continue to explain clearly the changes we’re making to the welfare system for our claimants, our staff, our partners and the taxpayer.”
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Alex Aiken, executive director of Government Communications, said: “Richard Caseby is a first class communicator and manager who will make an excellent leader of the DWP communications team. They are already one of the best teams in government and I believe that Richard will build on their reputation and ensure that great communications supports the work of the department.”
Caseby said: “Welfare reform and the introduction of Universal Credit represent the biggest transformation programme in the UK. It is fundamentally about changing culture and behaviour to make sure there is always an incentive to work.
“This is a huge and inspiring communications challenge and I’m delighted to be joining the DWP team to help in the task.”
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