Dr Axel Heitmueller has been appointed Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (PMDU) and Expert Adviser on Delivery. The announcement, issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on 6 January 2026, confirms the full‑time post is a paid Direct Ministerial appointment. Downing Street links the role to visible outcomes, stating he will advise ministers to advance ‘national renewal’ so people see help with the cost of living, changes in their bills, communities and the health service. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/appointment-of-axel-heitmueller-as-head-of-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-and-expert-adviser-on-delivery))
The PMDU is the small centre‑of‑government team that works with departments to drive the Prime Minister’s top priorities and unblock delivery issues. Earlier iterations concentrated on a limited set of outcomes and used regular reviews to keep activity on track, with the Prime Minister personally involved in decision‑making when progress stalled. ([history.blog.gov.uk](https://history.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/26/the-art-of-delivery-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-2001-2005/))
Historically the model has relied on clear metrics and recurring ‘stocktake’ meetings chaired by the Prime Minister to scrutinise data and agree corrective action. It is designed to focus attention on outcomes rather than new legislation, and to hold departments to account for results over short, defined intervals. ([history.blog.gov.uk](https://history.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/26/the-art-of-delivery-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-2001-2005/))
Downing Street’s wording places the appointment in the context of outcomes households will notice-lower bills, stronger communities and improvements in the NHS. That framing aligns with the Prime Minister’s March 2025 commitment to go “further and faster” on delivery and to strip out ‘checkers and blockers’ so central capability can concentrate on implementation. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/appointment-of-axel-heitmueller-as-head-of-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-and-expert-adviser-on-delivery))
Heitmueller’s recent roles include serving as the Prime Minister’s Expert Adviser on Health, with earlier leadership posts as chief executive of Imperial College Health Partners and Executive Director of Strategy at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust. Analysis: That track record signals familiarity with operational improvement and data‑driven change in health services. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/appointment-of-axel-heitmueller-as-head-of-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-and-expert-adviser-on-delivery))
Analysis: For the cost of living, a strengthened PMDU gives the centre a mechanism to coordinate energy, welfare and fiscal measures so that decisions translate into lower bills more quickly. Expect clearer ownership of interventions across departments and faster resolution of cross‑cutting obstacles such as data access or procurement constraints.
Analysis: For communities, delivery depends on central and local alignment. The unit can help tie Cabinet Office, DLUHC and Home Office activity to neighbourhood outcomes with consistent measures and tighter performance conversations where funding is conditional on results.
On health, the appointment is framed as part of making the NHS feel different to users. The original PMDU helped track and improve operational performance in areas such as A&E waits and GP access; a renewed focus on timely metrics alongside reform programmes is likely to follow. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/appointment-of-axel-heitmueller-as-head-of-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-and-expert-adviser-on-delivery))
Inside No.10 the PMDU will operate alongside the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, a ministerial role created in 2025 to oversee delivery across government and the Government’s Plan for Change. That architecture is intended to link political authority with the practical work of removing obstacles to progress. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state--197))
No further targets or timelines were published alongside today’s notice. The immediate next steps typically include agreeing a short list of priority outcomes, establishing baselines and milestones, and scheduling stocktakes that bring secretaries of state, permanent secretaries and the centre together every few months. ([history.blog.gov.uk](https://history.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/26/the-art-of-delivery-the-prime-ministers-delivery-unit-2001-2005/))