Bill Jeffrey

Who is Bill Jeffrey?

Sir William Alexander "Bill" Jeffrey, KCB is a former senior British civil servant, who retired in the autumn of 2010.

Jeffrey was educated at Allan Glen's School, Glasgow, and the Glasgow University. He joined the Home Office in 1971. From 1998 until 2002 he was Political Director of the Northern Ireland Office, supporting the Prime Minister and successive Secretaries of State on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. He was subsequently Britain's most senior immigration official - director-general of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate - from 2002 to 2005.

In April 2005 he joined the Cabinet Office as Security and Intelligence Coordinator, where he was the Prime Minister's principal adviser on security, intelligence, and counter-terrorism strategy. In September 2005 he was announced Permanent Secretary for Defence. Already a Companion of the Order of the Bath, he was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2007 New Year Honours List.

Bill Jeffrey is now Chair of the independent policing think tank the Police Foundation.