Skip to main content

https://publicguardian.blog.gov.uk/2019/06/28/looking-back-and-moving-forward-a-chapter-closes-for-the-public-guardian/

Looking back and moving forward – A chapter closes for the Public Guardian

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Future planning, OPG Team

From the Chief Financial Officer for the Ministry of Justice, Mike Driver

This week we say goodbye and thank you to Alan Eccles as he retires as the Public Guardian and Chief Executive of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

Alan will be succeeded by Nick Goodwin, who takes up the role on 1 July 2019.

During Alan’s tenure, the Office of the Public Guardian has:

  • established an internationally renowned safeguarding approach for people in need
  • transformed operational performance, significantly improving service to customers
  • increased uptake of lasting powers of attorney (LPAs), with an 8% increase this year on new LPA's - we received over 75,000 LPAs in April alone
  • started an ambitious transformation programme to continue to support adults at risk and make LPAs a part of everyday life
  • overseen the introduction of the online lasting power of attorney (LPA) service, the first ever exemplar service to pass the Government Digital Service’s digital by default service standard.

I want to personally thank Alan for his dedication and commitment to supporting people who are at risk, and for his work with the public, courts, our frontline emergency services, charities and advocacy groups to ensure everyone has the safeguarding they need at the time they need it.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, Sir Richard Heaton KCB said:

Alan, you’ve been a wise, expert, calm and friendly colleague for many years. Thank you for all you have done for the public and the people we serve.

I wish Alan all the very best for the future and for his retirement after over 30 years’ service in the justice system. He has certainly earned the rest it will offer him.

Sharing and comments

Share this page

1 comment

  1. Comment by Jacqui Cheney posted on

    Well done Alan, you have provided the Public with a much needed, better service than the one you inherited, and partly due to today's new 'e ' technology alongside it more cost achievable for Jon Citizen to do/have, without going through an attorney. Enjoy your retirement .

    Welcome to Nick Goodwin; still plenty of room to stamp your mark on!