Tom Scholar

Tom Scholar
Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
In office
13 July 2016 – 8 September 2022
Chancellor
Preceded byNick Macpherson
Succeeded byJames Bowler
Prime Minister's Adviser for Europe and Global Issues
In office
2013–2016
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byJon Cunliffe
Succeeded byOlly Robbins
Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
In office
2009–2013
Prime Minister
Preceded byJohn Kingman
Succeeded bySharon White
Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister
In office
27 June 2007 – 23 January 2008
Prime MinisterGordon Brown
Preceded byOlly Robbins
Succeeded byJeremy Heywood
Downing Street Chief of Staff
In office
27 June 2007 – 23 January 2008
Prime MinisterGordon Brown
Preceded byJonathan Powell
Succeeded byStephen Carter
Personal details
BornThomas Whinfield Scholar
(1968-12-17) 17 December 1968
Parent
EducationDulwich College
Alma mater
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Sir Thomas Whinfield Scholar GCB (born 17 December 1968) is a former British civil servant, who served as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury from 2016 to 2022. Following his exit from the UK Civil Service in September 2022, Scholar began to take up non-executive directorships in the private sector, including as chair of Santander UK from August 2025. As a civil servant, Scholar held multiple roles across various governments, including as an adviser on European and global issues in the Cabinet Office from 2013 to 2016, a director of Northern Rock post its nationalisation in 2008 and as chief of staff for Gordon Brown from mid 2007 to January 2008.