Case to head up Team Barrow

Simon Case, the former cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, will chair the delivery board of the regeneration vehicle set up by government, BAE Systems and Westmorland & Furness Council.

During his time in government, Case helped establish the Team Barrow partnership, which recognises Barrow’s strategic role in national defence and is backed by more than £200m.

Having chaired the first two meetings of the delivery board on an interim basis, his appointment has now been confirmed by Alex Norris, minister for local growth and building safety, in a written ministerial statement to Parliament.

Case said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Chair and take on this important role. Barrow is critical to our national security; there’s nowhere else in the country with the unique set of skills and supporting infrastructure required to deliver complex nuclear submarines, so it’s vital we invest now to sustain this capability.

“Barrow is a fantastic town and the Government’s long-term commitment to the UK’s submarine programme means it has an exciting future, but it’s not without its challenges. Our task is to address these, turn ambition into reality and help transform Barrow into a place where people choose to live, work and thrive.”

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Case became a high-profile figure during the Covid pandemic and its subsequent inquiry, as the civil service came under fire from senior Conservatives and his disagreements with ex-prime minister Boris Johnson came to light.

He announced his resignation from the senior civil service post in September last year.

Minister Norris said: “Barrow lies at the heart of our defence industry, and the nuclear submarines produced there play a crucial role in keeping Britain safe. We are committed to building on Barrow’s incredible strengths and making sure local people benefit from the town’s development

“Simon Case is ideally placed to chair the delivery board and oversee the delivery of £200m of funding to tackle local priorities, taking Barrow towards an exciting future. He will ensure Barrow’s place in our national Plan for Change – because what’s best for Barrow is best for the country.”

BAE Systems, which already employs more than 14,500 people across its Submarines business, needs to grow its workforce to enable delivery of the Astute, Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes.

Team Barrow is tasked with supporting this, with projects now in the works including a VR learning hub in the town’s former Debenhams and planning now cleared for 14,000 sq ft of offices to be made a training centre.