26 Facts About Olly Robbins

Olly Robbins was a controversial figure among Brexit supporters for his perceived pro-European stance.

Olly Robbins previously served as the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Exiting the European Union from July 2016 to September 2017, and as the Prime Minister's Advisor on Europe and Global Issues from June 2016 to July 2016.

Olly Robbins was born on 20 April 1975 in Lambeth to Derek and Diana Olly Robbins.

Olly Robbins's mother was a civil servant, who later left her job to raise her children.

Olly Robbins was educated at Colfe's School, a private school in Lee, London.

Olly Robbins studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Hertford College, Oxford.

Olly Robbins graduated from the University of Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

At Oxford, Olly Robbins was president of the Oxford Reform Club, a group promoting a federal European Union.

Olly Robbins was nicknamed "Sir Humphrey" after the Yes Minister permanent secretary character Sir Humphrey Appleby.

Olly Robbins joined HM Treasury in 1996 after graduating, serving as Head of Corporate and Private Finance from 2003 to 2006, and then briefly as Head of Defence, Diplomacy and Intelligence finance.

Olly Robbins was appointed as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street in 2006, replacing Ivan Rogers for the last part of Tony Blair's administration and the start of Gordon Brown's.

In 2010, David Cameron's incoming administration reorganised the UK's national security apparatus, and Olly Robbins's post was reformulated as the Deputy National Security Advisor responsible for intelligence, security and resilience.

In January 2014, Olly Robbins was appointed Director-General, Civil Service at the Cabinet Office.

In September 2015, Olly Robbins moved to the Home Office as Second Permanent Secretary alongside Mark Sedwill.

Olly Robbins had responsibility for immigration and free movement, as well as the borders, immigration and citizenship system.

In July 2016, Olly Robbins was appointed the head of the European and Global Issues Secretariat, advising the Prime Minister on the EU and to oversee Britain's exit from the European Union.

In September 2017, Olly Robbins moved from the Brexit department to become Prime Minister Theresa May's personal Brexit advisor.

Former Department for Work and Pensions Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewis backed up Sedwill's letter, noting the "occupational hazard for senior civil servants to be held responsible for the political decisions of ministers", of which he considered the attacks on Olly Robbins to be a blatant example in a particularly toxic environment.

In June 2019 it was reported that Olly Robbins intended to resign when Theresa May left office.

Olly Robbins took up the Heywood Fellowship at the Blavatnik School of Government in September 2019, after which he joined Goldman Sachs as a managing director in the bank's investment banking division; joining former European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who was the non-executive chairman of Goldman Sachs International at the time.

Olly Robbins was in the final three candidates with Sir Chris Wormald, Dame Antonia Romeo and Tamara Finkelstein.

Olly Robbins was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the FCDO on 8 January 2025 for a five year term.

Olly Robbins married Sherry Birkbeck in 2005, and has three children.

Olly Robbins has been described as "one of the tallest men in the British establishment".

Olly Robbins is a member of the National Liberal Club.

Olly Robbins was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 2019 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours.