Dr. Derek Binns will be the Permanent Secretary (PS) of Works and Engineering and Housing following the retirement of Russell Wade.

Dr. Binns will be back at Works and Engineering and Housing ? he held the PS post in February, 2004 ? after serving for two years as PS of Community Affairs and Sport.

Mr. Wade announced his retirement, after 34 years in the Civil Service, in a Government release on Monday.

?Mr. Wade confirmed that he will be leaving Government to pursue other interests in the private sector,? it said.

Secretary to the Cabinet John Drinkwater confirmed Dr. Binns would assume responsibility for Works and Engineering and Housing following Mr. Wade?s departure.

?I would like to thank all of the wonderful people who I have had the privilege of working with over my many years in Government, and I can truly say that it has been both an enlightening and enriching experience,? Mr. Wade said. Mr. Wade began his service with Government in 1973 on a part time basis as a trainee surveyor, it said, subsequently received a bursary from Government to attend school overseas and began his full time service with Government in 1979.

Projects undertaken during Mr. Wade?s stewardship included the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility, the reconstruction of Somerset Bridge and the construction of Watford Bridge.