[2] It was formed by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, in July 2016, in the wake of the referendum vote to leave the European Union.

[6][7] Dominic Raab was appointed as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on 9 July 2018,[8] but resigned on 15 November 2018 over the draft withdrawal agreement.

In September 2017, Robbins left the department as the prime minister appointed him the EU adviser in the Cabinet Office.

After his departure in March 2019, he was replaced by Clare Moriarty, previously Permanent Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The department's senior management team included:[11] In March 2018 government data stated the department had 636 full-time equivalent posts,[15] rising to 651 in August 2018 (excluding contractors, management consultants and fast streamers[16]) on an average (mean) monthly wage of £5,890 including allowances.