Dr Jo Farrar CB OBE became the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in July 2025.

Jo was previously the Chief Executive Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, and before this she served as Second Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice with a remit covering HM Prison and Probation Service, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Legal Aid Agency, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Jo has a background in local government, having previously held the positions of Director General for Local Government and Public Services at MHCLG, and Chief Executive of Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Prior to her career in local government, she worked in Civil Service roles at the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office.