Jo Shanmugalingam appointed as new Chair of Trustees

6 July 2026

Jo Shanmugalingam, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport, has been appointed new Chair of Trustees at the Charity for Civil Servants, taking on the role from Sir Peter Schofield when he steps down in July.

As Chair, Jo will help guide the charity through its next chapter, working with trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure it remains at the heart of the Civil Service. Jo’s focus will be on strengthening engagement across the Charity’s board, offering support and constructive challenge to Charity for Civil Servants’ leadership team, and championing the Charity’s role in providing practical, financial and emotional help to civil servants, past and present, when they need it most.

Jo Shanmugalingam, Chair of Trustees — Jo Shanmugalingam is taking on the role of Charity for Civil Servants’ Chair of Trustees

Jo Shanmugalingham –

I’m really pleased to be taking on the role of the Chair of the Charity of Civil Servants. It does incredibly important work supporting colleagues through some of the toughest moments in their lives, often quietly, and often when it matters most.

There’s more we can do to make sure every civil servant knows about that support and feels able to access it. I’m looking forward to working with the Trustees and the team to strengthen the charity’s reach, support its long term sustainability, and make sure it continues to adapt to what colleagues need, both now and in the future.