Who will be the UK’s next top civil servant?

Sir Keir Starmer this month triggered formal access talks with the civil service, prompting debate across Whitehall about who the Labour leader might pick as his top mandarin if his party wins the general election.

Cabinet secretary Simon Case, who is back in the office as part of a “phased return” to work after medical leave, has told colleagues he hopes to carry on his job until 2025, when he would have served five years in the post.

“It wouldn’t look right to change cabinet secretary immediately if there was a change of government,” said one Whitehall official. “Simon always said he would go in 2023 or 2025, but not immediately after a 2024 election.”

If the Conservatives under Rishi Sunak lose the election, Case’s successor would be chosen by Starmer, who in turn would be advised by his chief of staff, Sue Gray, a former veteran civil servant and Whitehall ethics enforcer.

The Labour leader, who previously headed the Crown Prosecution Service, has a keen interest in how organisations are run, according to colleagues. “For Keir it’s not just about what, but how?” said one.

For that reason the appointment of cabinet secretary, a critical decision for any prime minister, is seen by Starmer as particularly important in a potential new Labour administration, they added.

British prime ministers can unilaterally select their cabinet secretary — the senior mandarin in charge of driving the civil service machine — though some choose to carry out a formal process involving interviews.

Labour is days from beginning Whitehall access talks, the usual pre-election process through which the main UK opposition party discusses with civil servants their policy priorities.

Some of the most highly qualified figures with the experience for the post are former Treasury officials now earning much more in the private sector.

For example, Sir Tom Scholar, former Treasury permanent secretary sacked by Liz Truss during her shortlived premiership, is now chair of…