Jill Cuthbertson
Jill Cuthbertson | |
|---|---|
| Downing Street Chief of Staff | |
Acting | |
| Assumed office 8 February 2026 Serving with Vidhya Alakeson | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Morgan McSweeney |
| Downing Street Deputy Chief of Staff | |
| Assumed office 6 October 2024 Serving with Vidhya Alakeson | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | University of Stirling |
Jill Cuthbertson is a British political aide. She has served as the acting Downing Street chief of staff alongside Vidhya Alakeson since February 2026, following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney.[1] She has served as the deputy chief of staff since October 2024[2]
Biography
Cuthbertson worked as a private secretary to Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband.[3] She worked for Cherie Blair.[4] When Brown was prime minister she was manager of his Political Office.[5] During the 2016 European Union membership referendum, she was events manager for the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign.[6]
Until the 2024 United Kingdom general election, she was director of the private office of Keir Starmer.[7] In the new Labour government she was appointed director of government relations.[8] In October 2024, with the resignation of Sue Gray, she was promoted to deputy chief of staff by Morgan McSweeney.[9]
On 8 February 2026, Cuthbertson was named joint acting Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister alongside Vidhya Alakeson, replacing McSweeney who had resigned following the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.[10]
Personal life
Cuthbertson is married to Mo Hussein, a former special adviser to Home Secretary Amber Rudd.[11] They met while working on the Remain campaign.[12] They married in 2019.[13]
References
- ^ Crerar, Pippa. "Starmer appoints new acting chiefs of staff". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "Keir Starmer shuffles top team after Sue Gray quits as chief of staff". ITV News. 7 October 2024.
- ^ Stacey, Kiran (8 February 2026). "Who are No 10's new power brokers after Morgan McSweeney's resignation?". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ McElvoy, Anne (2022-10-27). "'No complacency, just confidence' – how Labour is getting battle ready". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ "Starmer's special advisers: a complete guide". The Spectator. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ Wearmouth, Rachel (2022-09-26). "The most influential people in Keir Starmer's Labour". New Statesman. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved Sep 18, 2025.
- ^ Bunn, Jonathan (2024-10-07). "How has the team in Number 10 changed and what are the potential implications?". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ PA; Britton, Paul (2024-10-06). "Sue Gray resigns as Downing Street chief of staff, PM announces". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ "McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff, saying he takes 'full responsibility' for advising Mandelson appointment". BBC News. 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Britain's political power couples — 2023 ranking". POLITICO. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ "The Londoner: Fake news fears for snap election". The Standard. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ^ "POLITICO London Playbook, presented by Wine Drinkers UK: Cradle of democracy — The lavender/Hill mob — Meet the new peers". POLITICO. 2019-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-18.