Jean-Christophe Gray

• University of Oxford
• London School of Economics

Jean-Christophe Gray CBE , LVO
Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales
In office September 2022 –March 2024

Jean-Christophe Nicholas Gray, CBE , LVO (born November 1975) is a former British civil servant who served as the Prime Minister's official spokesperson for David Cameron between 2012 and 2015. He later served as the Private Secretary to William, Prince of Wales between 2021 and 2024, ^[1] and in early 2025 led the newly-formed National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) pending its appointment of a permanent chief executive.

Career

Gray read Modern History at the University of Oxford (1994–1997) and went on to earn an MSc degree in European Politics & Policy from the London School of Economics (1997–1998). ^[2]

Gray was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 dissolution honours for public service. ^{[3] [4]}

In February 2021, he became the Private Secretary to then-Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. ^{[5] [6] [7]} He stepped down from the role in March 2024 and was succeeded by Ian Patrick. ^{[8] [9]} In the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, Gray was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) for his services. ^[10]

In early 2025, Gray led the newly-formed National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) pending its appointment of a permanent chief executive. ^[11]

He is also the Head of the Delivery Unit in 10 Downing Street. ^[12]

According to The Times , "Jean-Christophe Gray has a reputation as Whitehall's most assiduous bean counter". ^[2]

References

1. "Prince William appoints David Cameron's former spokesperson as his new private secretary". Royal Central. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
2. Shipman, Roya Nikkhah | Tim. "Treasury 'velociraptor' to claw back prince's spending". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 3 April 2021.
3. "Dissolution Honours 2015". GOV.UK. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
4. "No. 61359". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 September 2015. p. 17613.
5. "The team". Royal Foundation. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
6. Cope, Rebecca (22 February 2021). "The Duke of Cambridge hires David Cameron's former spokesman Jean-Christophe Gray as private secretary". Tatler. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
7. "Prince William's new private secretary could see royal engagements change dramatically". Women and Home. 1 April 2021.
8. Tatham, Phoebe (8 October 2023). "Prince William and Princess Kate make big changes to royal team - details". Hello!. Retrieved 8 October 2023. According to The Times, Jean-Christophe is on secondment from Whitehall and will leave Kensington Palace in spring 2024.
9. "Prince William Steps Out With His New Private Secretary". Town & Country. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
10. "King honours his royal doctors for their personal service amid cancer treatment". Shropshire Star . 15 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
11. "Government promises 'new era' for UK infrastructure delivery". www.theconstructionindex.co.uk. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
12. "Ex-Courtier Career Civil Servant is New Head of Downing Street Delivery Unit". Guido Fawkes. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2025.

Court offices
Preceded by Clive Alderton as Private Secretary to Prince Charles	Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales 2022–2024	Succeeded by Ian Patrick
Government offices
Preceded by Steve Field	Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson 2012–2015	Succeeded by Helen Bower