Sue Owen (civil servant)

Sue Owen (born c. 1955) is a retired British civil servant. She held several senior positions within the UK government, including roles at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Owen is most notably recognised for her tenure as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport from 2013 to 2019. In this role, she was the principal advisor to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and was responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the department. Her responsibilities included overseeing government policy relating to the arts, media, sport, tourism, heritage, and the creative industries. Significant events and projects overseen during her tenure included the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the commemorations of the First World War, and preparations for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Prior to her role at DCMS, Owen served as Director General, Strategy, Performance and Analysis at the Department for Work and Pensions. She also held other senior roles within DWP and HM Treasury.

Since retiring from the civil service, Owen has undertaken various advisory and non-executive roles. Her career reflects a significant contribution to public service in the United Kingdom, particularly in the cultural and media sectors.