Andy Tighe joins the Home Office as head of news in May, after working at the BBC for almost 20 years.
Home Office director of communications Yasmin Diamond said: ‘I am delighted to be able to announce Andy Tighe as the new head of news for the Home Office. I believe we have found an ideal candidate to lead the department's news team.’
Diamond added that Tighe’s experience will enable him to ‘navigate the high profile issues faced by the Department on a daily basis, as well as providing clear direction and great judgement’.
Tighe replaces Simon Wren, who left the Home Office in January to become media and comms director at the Ministry of Defence. Wren replaced Nick Gurr at the MoD, who left before Christmas to take a policy-focused role.
Tighe said: ‘I'm obviously sorry to be leaving the BBC, an organisation for which I have been proud to work for more than two decades. However, it's immensely exciting to be joining the Home Office and to be part of such a professional and experienced team.’
