Office of the Public Guardian (England and Wales)

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) in England and Wales is a government body that, within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, polices the activities of deputies, attorneys and guardians who act to protect the financial affairs of people who lack the mental capacity for making decisions about such things. It is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. The current Public Guardian and Chief Executive of the Office of the Public Guardian is Ruth Duffin, replacing Amy Holmes, who acted as Public Guardian from July 2022 to April 2025.

Formed2007 (2007)

Preceding Executive Agency

• Public Guardianship Office

JurisdictionEngland and Wales

Headquarters

• Birmingham

Quick facts Executive Agency overview, Formed ...

Office of the Public Guardian

Executive Agency overview
Formed	2007 (2007)
Preceding Executive Agency	Public Guardianship Office
Jurisdiction	England and Wales
Headquarters	Birmingham
Minister responsible	Sarah Sackman MP, Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services
Executive Agency executive	Ruth Duffin, Chief Executive and Public Guardian
Website	gov.uk/opg

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The OPG was established on 1 October 2007, replacing the Public Guardianship Office (PGO).^[1] Initially located in London, most functions transferred to offices in Birmingham and Nottingham during 2009.^[2]