Ed Whiting

Ed Whiting is a senior civil servant with an extensive career in public service and policy-making. He currently serves as the Areas Director at the Department for Business and Trade, a position he has held since October 2023.1 In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the joint DBT-DLUHC Areas Teams, which work to support local and regional economic growth.1

Prior to his current position, Ed Whiting's career has included several high-profile roles:

Government Positions

• Director, Levelling Up at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (February 2023 - October 2023)1
• Private Secretary and Deputy PPS at 10 Downing Street (January 2014 - August 2016)1
• Various roles at HM Treasury, including Head of Financial Sector Interventions and Team Leader of Financial Regulatory Strategy (2010-2013)1

Non-Governmental Roles

• Director of Strategy at Wellcome Trust (May 2019 - November 2022)1
• Director of Policy and Chief of Staff at Wellcome Trust (September 2016 - May 2019)1

Education and Honors

Ed Whiting was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in June 2016 for Public Service and Services to No10 Downing Street.1

Recent Developments

As of October 29, 2024, it has been announced that Ed Whiting is set to be appointed as the new permanent Chief Executive of Leeds City Council.23 This appointment is expected to be formally approved at a meeting in November, with Whiting joining the local authority early next year.4

Ed Whiting's extensive experience in both central and local government, combined with his expertise in strategy and policy-making, has positioned him as a key figure in UK public administration and economic development.