THE top civil servant in the Department of Health is to move to the Department of Justice in a major reshuffle.
Richard Pengelly's move was one of a number of changes at permanent secretary level announced yesterday by Northern Ireland Civil Service head Jayne Brady.
Mr Pengelly, who has been with the health department for seven years, is switching roles with Peter May at the department of justice.
Elsewhere, Katrina Godfrey is to move from her infrastructure brief to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
It is understood Ms Godfrey will be the first woman to hold the job of permanent secretary within the department.
Meanwhile Julie Harrison, is being promoted to take up the post of permanent secretary in the Department for Infrastructure.
The moves are expected to be completed during April.
The salary scale for a permanent secretary role is £124,282 - £141,866.
Permanent secretaries are the principal advisers to departmental ministers for all departmental activities. They are responsible for managing their NICS department, its staff and resources.