Three years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts.
Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, every fortnight we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented.
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National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – Non-Executive Directors
“The Secretary of State for Health is seeking to appoint five new Non-Executive Directors to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); one as the Audit and Risk Chair, one a consultant in hospital medical practice, one with a background in public health, one with a background in social care and one as a patient/lay representative.”
Time: 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: £7,883 per annum/£13,137 for Audit Committee chair.
Closes: 15 August
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Innovate UK – Non-Executive Directors
“Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency and has a high profile across government and the business community. It provides funding, expertise, advice, facilities and contacts to help organisations develop and advance their ideas. Innovate UK seeks to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy – delivering productivity, new jobs and exports and keeping the UK globally competitive in the race for future prosperity.”
Time: 18 days per annum.
Remuneration: £9180 per annum.
Closes: 15 August
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The Pensions Regulator – Non-Executive Directors
“The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is the UK regulator of work-based pensions… TPR is responsible for: regulating occupational defined benefit (DB) schemes and occupational defined contribution (DC) schemes, and for aspects of work-based personal pensions; maximising employer compliance with the employer duties and safeguards related to automatic enrolment into pensions; [and] a recently extended role in respect of public service schemes, regulating their governance and administration.”
Time: Circa 26 days per annum.
Remuneration: £17,992 per annum.
Closes: 22 August
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Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Expert Committee – Chair and Deputy Chair
“The Secretary of State for Transport is seeking applications for both the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Expert Committee. The Secretary of State is responsible for setting and delivering the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy as set out in the Infrastructure Act 2015.”
Time: 2 days per month.
Remuneration: £9,000/7,200 per annum.
Closes: 24 August
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British Business Bank – Chair
“The British Business Bank (BBB) is a government-owned economic development bank, which has been operating since 1 November 2014. It is responsible for designing and managing the UK Government’s domestic access to finance schemes for smaller businesses and currently supports more than £3bn of finance through its lending and equity programmes.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: £140,000 per annum.
Closes: 25 August
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Committee on Climate Change – Member (Business Affairs)
“The successful candidate will be expected to become a member of the Committee as soon as they are appointed and will play an important role in shaping the work of the Committee in providing independent and expert advice on climate change policy to the UK Government and Devolved Administrations. It is important that the Committee contains the range of expertise that is required to effectively produce its recommendations… To strengthen its expertise in business affairs the Committee is seeking to appoint someone with a background in or knowledge of business affairs.”
Time: Up to two days per month, plus ad hoc duties.
Remuneration: £800 per diem.
Closes: 25 August
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Care Quality Commission – Non-Executive Directors
“Successful candidates will have a career record of achievement along with the ability to operate effectively on the board of a high-profile national organisation. Candidates will also have the ability to guide CQC’s strategic direction and use sound judgement to consider and challenge complex issues… For the Healthwatch England Chair: be able to demonstrate the ability to chair the Healthwatch England Committee, along with a record of achievement in leading an organisation in a consumer/user environment. Applications from candidates with experience in the private sector.”
Time: 2-3 days per month (2 days per week for Healthwatch England chair).
Remuneration: £7,833 per annum (up to £30,000 for Healthwatch England chair).
Closes: 25 August
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British Tourist Authority – Chair
“The incumbent’s term ends in March 2017 and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport wishes to appoint a new Chair of our national tourist board, the BTA. The successful candidate will lead on the governance of this public body and the delivery of its objectives.”
Time: Two days per week on average.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum.
Closes: 26 August
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British Tourist Authority – Chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board
“Following the 2015 Spending Review and significant restructure and governance at the BTA in order to deliver on the government priorities for tourism, the role of the VisitEngland Advisory Board was clarified. The BTA Board is accountable for all Britain and England spend, with the VEAB responsible for advising the executive and the Board of the BTA on matters relating to tourism in England, helping to drive economic growth and excellence in English tourism.”
Time: Up to four days per month on average.
Remuneration: £340 per diem. Up to £16,320 per annum.
Closes: 26 August
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Home Office – Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation
“The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation is appointed by the Home Secretary… to review the operation of key UK counter-terrorism statutes to monitor their fairness, effectiveness and proportionality. The Independent Reviewer therefore represents an important safeguard, informing the Parliamentary and public debate on counter-terrorism law and civil liberties through written reports and evidence. They may also be called upon to comment on key counter-terrorism issues in the media.”
Time: 156 days per annum.
Remuneration: £800 per diem (plus VAT and reasonable expenses).
Closes: 05 September