Michael Ellam, who worked under Brown in No 10 from 2007-2009, has been handed the newly created position of “second permanent secretary, EU and international economic affairs”.
Working in the Cabinet Office, Ellam will be tasked with leading on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to reset relations with the European Union.
The UK Government said he would lead “official-level discussions with the EU and in international forums such as the G7 and G20 to support the UK’s economic growth and national security”, as well as the newly created EU Relations Secretariat in the Cabinet Office.
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Ellam was removed from his position as Brown’s communications director in 2009 to be replaced by Simon Lewis, the brother of then-Telegraph editor Will Lewis and an old friend of Peter Mandelson, the Guardian reported.
Ellam moved to the Treasury to be the managing director for international and Europe, a role he held into the David Cameron administration.
Ellam begins his new position on Monday, having previously been the co-head of public sector banking at HSBC.
Michael Ellam in an image released by the UK Government (Image: UK Government) Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “I am delighted that Michael Ellam is bringing his talents to the heart of government, helping us tackle barriers to trade, keep people safe and take on shared global challenges, like illegal migration.
“The Prime Minister has set out a clear plan for change to improve people’s lives. That includes growing our economy and improving national security.
“Michael’s experience at the highest levels of international finance will be a huge asset as we work to deliver economic growth on behalf of the British people, including through resetting our relationship with the EU.”
Chris Wormald, the UK’s most senior civil servant, appointed to replace Simon Case as cabinet secretary in December, welcomed Ellam to the role, saying he would bring “essential economic and international expertise which will help drive UK economic and security interests and will be critical in resetting our relationship with the EU”.
Ellam said: “I am delighted to have been appointed second permanent secretary, European Union and international economic affairs, and to return to the civil service after a decade in the private sector.
“I look forward to working with the Prime Minister, the Minister for EU Relations and others to deliver the government’s objectives on this important agenda.”
The UK Government said that the recruitment process was overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission.
Ellam’s role is at permanent secretary level and is on a fixed tenure of five years.