Catalogue description HM Treasury: Permanent Secretary: Gus O’Donnell: Private Office Papers (PO-PST/GO Prefix Series)

Chronologically. In some instances, records have been preserved during transitional periods for business continuity purposes. The private office has occasionally continued filing into these records following a change of minister. This explains any records with dates that begin or end outside of the ministerial tenure.

Gus O’Donnell served as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury from 2002-2005.

The role of the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury is to oversee and co-ordinate the department's functions and operations. The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury is a senior civil servant, leading a vast team and working closely with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to shape and execute economic and financial policies critical to the United Kingdom.

Responsibilities within this role include:

• Strategic Leadership and Policy Formulation: At the core of the Permanent Secretary's role is providing strategic leadership for the Treasury. They are responsible for developing and implementing policies that align with the government's economic agenda.
• Advising the Chancellor and Government Ministers: The Permanent Secretary serves as a key advisor to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other government ministers. They provide expert advice on economic matters, budget decisions and the potential impact of policies. This advice helps shape the government's decisions on economic, financial, and fiscal matters.
• Promoting Efficiency and Innovation: The Permanent Secretary continuously seeks ways to streamline processes, adopt innovative technologies and enhance operational efficiency within the Treasury, ultimately leading to better service delivery and effective financial management.
• Ensuring Transparency and Accountability: Transparency and accountability in financial matters are critical to maintaining public trust. The Permanent Secretary ensures that the Treasury operates in a transparent manner, providing information and data to the public and relevant stakeholders regarding government finances, policies and decisions.