The ‘Rolls Royce of Sir Humphreys’ will get things done

Simon Case, the former royal adviser set to be the next head of the civil service, has quickly established himself as one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted lieutenants.

The Barbour jacket-wearing father of two is expected to be announced as the next Cabinet Secretary today in an appointment that will prove critical to Boris Johnson’s flailing administration.

As well as helping to oversee the civil service reform instigated by Dominic Cummings, the doctor of philosophy will be expected to oil the Whitehall machinery to ensure it is both Brexit and Covid-proofed.

His rapid promotion, just three months after being seconded from Kensington Palace to become No10’s permanent secretary, has seen him dubbed “the Rolls Royce of Sir Humphreys” at the tender age of 41.

As the Duke of Cambridge’s right-hand-man, Mr Case modernised William and Kate’s operation, turning the Cambridges into the Royal family’s resident troopers following Harry and Meghan’s departure. Although William was sad to lose him, Mr Case’s experience of an organisation as dysfunctional as the Royal household stood him in perfect stead.

With a previous history serving under David Cameron, Theresa May, at GCHQ and on Brexit, Cambridgeeducated Mr Case’s appointment was widely regarded as an attempt to make No10 less “Cummings contingent” – and inject someone with “experience at the centre” into the heart of the team. A former Downing Street aide said: “Simon has the ability to forge relationships across the civil service and political divide which will make him invaluable to the PM.”

Described as “patriotic to his core”, a “passionate unionist” but also “a bit of a gossip”, Case has quickly become a natural bedfellow for Mr Johnson, despite what some have described as a “slightly pompous” approach.

According to a someone who worked with him at close quarters on Brexit: “Simon’s the kind of guy who signs up to serve Queen and country.

“He could absolutely understand why people voted to leave.” Credited with helping to solve the Northern Ireland border issue, one insider described him as “very calm, very clever and a very clear thinker,” adding: “I never saw him get cross or lose his temper. He never flapped.”

Although his posting to Downing Street was initially described as a “secondment”, insiders, both royal and political, doubted Mr Case would ever return to the Palace, with his reputation for “getting things done” making an immediate impression.