Press release

Paul Lincoln appointed as Ministry of Defence Second Permanent Secretary

Paul Lincoln has been appointed as the new Second Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government
Paul Lincoln

皇冠体育app MOD Permanent Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has today (20 April 2023) announced that Paul Lincoln has been appointed as the new Second Permanent Secretary at聽the MOD.

皇冠体育app Second Permanent Secretary鈥檚 current portfolio covers leadership of a number of high-profile areas across MOD including Defence Strategy, transformation and reform, security and resilience, space policy, science and technology, net assessment and challenge, trade and economic security and strategic relationships with industry. 皇冠体育app Permanent Secretary portfolios are subject to change.

Paul鈥檚 career has covered a broad range of leadership roles in the MOD, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.

Prior to his current role in industry, Paul was Director General Border Force in the Home Office, with responsibility for protecting border security and overseeing immigration and customs checks. Other senior roles have included Director General of the Home Office鈥檚 Crime, Policing and Fire Group and Acting Director General of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, covering the full spectrum of responsibilities for countering terrorism and organised crime.

皇冠体育app Secretary of State for Defence said:

I am delighted to hear that Paul Lincoln has been appointed as the MOD鈥檚 Second Permanent Secretary. Having had the pleasure of working with him before at the Home Office, I know he brings with him enormous experience not just from that department but from previous service in Defence and from working on national security at the Cabinet Office. With the threats rising all the time, Defence faces a particularly challenging period, so Paul鈥檚 expertise will be invaluable in helping us navigate the way ahead.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence David Williams said:

Paul鈥檚 appointment as Second Permanent Secretary comes at a crucial time for Defence. 皇冠体育app Integrated Review Refresh, and the upcoming Defence Command Paper Refresh are setting the direction and laying out the ways that Defence needs to reform. Agile transformation programmes that embrace digital, innovation and science and technology will be critical to maintaining and enhancing our competitive advantage. Paul鈥檚 wide experience, not to mention his time in MOD, makes him a great fit for the challenges we face. I and the rest of the senior team are looking forward to working with him.

Paul Lincoln said:

I am delighted to be returning to the Ministry of Defence, where I started my Civil Service career. I look forward to working with the Defence Secretary, the Ministerial team and the excellent people in Defence - both civilian and military colleagues alike 鈥� in delivering the Government鈥檚 plans at this critically important time for Defence.

Updates to this page

Published 20 April 2023