Bernadette Kelly

Dame Bernadette Mary Kelly, (born 10 March 1964) is a British former senior civil servant who served as permanent secretary for the Department for Transport since 18 April 2017.

Early life Kelly was born on 10 March 1964 to Edward and Teresa Kelly. Her father was a bus driver. She was educated at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls in Birmingham, followed by the University of Hull. She was a director general at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills from 2010 until 2015, when she became director general for the Rail Group in the Department for Transport, a post she held until she was appointed permanent secretary for that department on 18 April 2017. Her promotion followed Philip Rutnam's move to the Home Office.

Kelly was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2010 She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Hull in 2023.

On 19 March 2025, she announced she would be retiring in the summer after 39 years in the civil service.