Derek Thomas

Biography

Derek joined the civil service in 1991 as a casual Administrative Officer working in Looe Jobcentre in Cornwall.  

He had numerous roles in the early part of his career in different offices across Cornwall, working with employers filling their vacancies and supporting their recruitment needs and also as an adviser to customers to help them find work and move towards the labour market. 

He became an office manager in 1999 starting at Launceston Jobcentre and then latterly Bodmin, St Austell and Plymouth offices. He also had spells working in HR as a Business Partner and also as South West Regional Learning and Development Manager. 

Derek moved into leading national teams, managing change and implementation, whilst also leading large operational teams across the UK, including Head of Legacy Benefits, a team of 7500 people based in over 50 sites providing support to over 3 million customers. 

Having worked in the Department for Work and Pensions for 28 years, Derek was promoted to SCS2 and joined the Valuation Office Agency as the Chief Operating Officer in September 2019. He was appointed as Head of Place for the South West in September 2022 and has become a trustee on the Board for the Cornwall Hospice Care which he fulfils alongside his role in the Valuation Office Agency.