A Bradford woman has been appointed the most senior civil servant of the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

When Bronwyn Hill, 50, becomes permanent secretary at the end of this month, she will bring the number of women heading the Govern-ment’s top departments to eight, equalling the number of men in such roles.

Miss Hill said the 50/50 split reflected the modern world and was “as it should be”.

The former pupil of St Anthony’s School in Clayton is currently director general of major projects and London, at the Department for Transport.

She was born and brought up in Clayton Heights and attended St Joseph’s College before studying geography at the University of Cambridge.

Miss Hill said: “I absolutely love the countryside and it is a department with environment at the heart of what it does.”

Of her new role, which will begin on March 28, she said: “There’s some fascinating areas, it encourages people to conserve natural resources, which helps save money.

“In a time when money is tight it is important to find ways of helping people to save.”

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