Linda Margaret "Lin" Homer, CB (born 4 March 1957)[1] is a British civil servant serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport.[2]
Homer was born in Norfolk and educated in Suffolk. After attending University College London to read for an LLB, she qualified as a lawyer in 1980 whilst at Reading Borough Council. In 1982 she joined Hertfordshire County Council where she stayed for 15 years, rising to Director of Corporate Services. She then left to join Suffolk County Council as chief executive in 1998. After four years at Suffolk, Homer went to be the chief executive of Birmingham City Council in 2002.[2]
After three years at Birmingham, Homer joined the civil service as the Director-General heading the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office, in August 2005.[3] The Home Office was re-organised in 2008, with the formation of the Border and Immigration Agency, later renamed the UK Border Agency, of which Homer became the first chief executive.[4] In 2010 it was announced that Homer would replace Robert Devereux as Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport.[5]
Homer was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2008 Birthday Honours.[1] She is married with three daughters.[2]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Peter Bye |
Chief Executive Suffolk County Council 1998-2002 |
Succeeded by Mike More |
| Preceded by Sir Michael Lyons |
Chief Executive Birmingham City Council 2002-2005 |
Succeeded by Stephen Hughes |
| Preceded by Bill Jeffrey |
Director-General, Immigration and Nationality Directorate Home Office 2005-2008 |
Succeeded by Herself as Chief Executive Border and Immigration Agency |
| Preceded by Herself as Director-General, Immigration and Nationality Directorate |
Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency (previously the Border and Immigration Agency) 2008-2011 |
Succeeded by Rob Whiteman |
| Preceded by Robert Devereux |
Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport 2011- |
Incumbent |