British civil servant and Permanent Secretary of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at the time of giving evidence. Appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath for public service in the 2013 Birthday Honours, in particular for his service relating to the Olympic Games in London. He was asked at the Inquiry about his Department's handling of the proposed bid by News Corporation for BskyB in 2012, and his own involvement in the appointment of special adviser Adam Smith, who enjoyed a close relationship with News Corporation.
Surtees joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1988 rising to Detective Chief Inspector within the Specialist Operations Unit. Told Inquiry of his involvement in an extensive live exercise to test police, government and military readiness in respect of security for the Olympic Games in 2012.
