Dame Lin Homer (born 1960) is a retired British civil servant who held several high-profile positions within the United Kingdom government. Her career spanned various departments, culminating in leadership roles as chief executive of major public bodies.
Early Career and Education Homer studied at the University of Cambridge. She began her career in local government, holding various roles within different councils before moving into central government.
Departmental Roles
- Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency (2009–2011): Homer was appointed to lead the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in 2009. Her tenure was marked by significant challenges and controversies, including criticisms over efficiency, management of visa backlogs, and a scandal involving the relaxation of border checks without ministerial approval. The agency faced persistent scrutiny over its performance and management, ultimately leading to its dissolution and absorption into other Home Office departments in 2013, after her departure.
- Permanent Secretary for the Department for Transport (2011–2012): Following her role at UKBA, Homer served as the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Transport.
- Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary of HM Revenue and Customs (2012–2016): Her final major civil service appointment was leading HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the UK's tax, payments, and customs authority. During her time, HMRC continued its move towards digital services and faced challenges related to tax collection efficiency, customer service standards, and the implementation of new tax policies.
Post-Civil Service Career After retiring from the civil service in 2016, Homer took on various non-executive roles. In 2022, she was elected Master of Trinity Hall, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
Honours Homer was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for public service.