Civil engineer appointed to head civil service

Mr Manzoni joined the Cabinet Office in February 2014 as chief executive of the Major Projects Authority.

He is thought to be the first engineer at the head of the civil service.

John Manzoni graduated from Imperial College London in 1982 with a BSc in civil engineering, taking a Masters in petroleum engineering the following year before embarking on a career in the oil industry. He spent 24 years with BP under the patronage of Lord Browne, former BP chief executive and now a key government adviser. In 2007 he moved to become president and CEO of Canadian oil and gas company Talisman Energy.

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