Six 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 week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Historic England – Commissioners
“Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from churches and battlefields to parks and high streets. We champion and protect the places that define who we are and where we have come from as a nation. We champion the historic environment, helping people discover the great places that add colour and character to our lives. We include everyone’s history because we know every community has made a contribution that is worth understanding and celebrating. We protect by identifying the most important parts of our heritage, by listing and conserving, and by speaking up for places that are at risk. We care by helping communities and professionals to look after their local heritage.”
Time: 15-20 days per annum typically.
Remuneration: £4,133 per year plus ‘reasonable expanses’.
Closes: 22 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Imperial War Museum – Business Trustee
“IWM is seeking to increase the business and commercial skills on its Board of Trustees as the generation of commercial revenue forms a critical part of IWMs income and operating model. The commercial and learning activities of IWM, including retail, corporate hospitality and the IWM Duxford Air Shows are operated through the IWM Trading Company plc, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in 1999. The business trustee will also be Chair of the IWM Trading Company Ltd. Candidates for this particular post will have significant experience in an area of business or commerce.”
Time: “Up to one day per month.”
Remuneration: “Expenses reasonably incurred.”
Closes: 22 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Theatres Trust – Trustee
“Theatres Trust is the national advisory public body for theatres. We believe that current and future generations should have access to good quality theatres where they can be inspired by and enjoy live performance. We champion the future of live performance, by protecting and supporting excellent theatre buildings, which meet the needs of their communities. Established by the Theatres Trust Act 1976 and the Theatres Trust (Scotland) Act 1978 ‘to promote the better protection of theatres’ the Trust is a statutory consultee on planning. Local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales are required to consult the Trust on planning applications for all theatres.”
Time: Four meetings a year.
Remuneration: Reasonable expenses.
Closes: 22 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Ofgem – Non-Executive Director
“GEMA is the Governing Body of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), a non-ministerial department and an independent National Regulatory Authority. GEMA’s powers are provided by inter alia the Gas Act 1986, Electricity Act 1989 and the Utilities Act 2000. Following the recent appointments to the Ofgem board, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is seeking to recruit a further two Non-Executive board members (NED) with an accountancy and digital transformation background respectively.”
Time: 16+ days per annum approx.
Remuneration: £20,000 per annum (part-time) plus expenses.
Closes: 26 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise – Commissioner
“The Department for Transport is seeking an individual to serve as a Commissioner of the Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise (ICCAN), a body which is being established to become a credible and authoritative voice on civil aviation noise issues. The Commissioner for Acoustics and Aviation Noise will work with the Head Commissioner, steering and developing the overall work of the Commission. The Commissioner will be required to work approximately two days per month, while maintaining sufficient flexibility to respond to additional ad hoc duties. They will also represent ICCAN and promote its strategy and overall direction.”
Time: Two working days per month.
Remuneration: £12,000 per annum.
Closes: 03 June
– – – – – – – – – –
The Royal Armouries – Chair
“The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual as the next chair of the Royal Armouries, to take the Museum forward as this new critical period in its history. The ideal candidate will have a passion for cultural heritage, a commitment to public service, strong commercial acumen and a successful track record in public service, heritage management, or business. This is a very exciting time for the Royal Armouries, having substantially increased its commercial operations, and now in the process of devising a masterplan to transform the museum brand and its offer at the main museum site in Leeds.”
Time: ~4 working days per month.
Remuneration: “Reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 05 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Air Quality Expert Group – Chair
“AQEG plays a vital role in providing advice to officials and key office holders in Government and the Devolved Administrations (DAs) on the evidence base supporting air quality policies and operations. The independent advice from AQEG helps shape Defra’s evidence base to robustly support policy development and implementation. While AQEG’s primary role is in the provision of scientific advice to assist Defra’s strategic vision, members and the Chair are also called upon to provide ad hoc advice on occasion. The role of the AQEG is particularly significant at present as Government begins to implement its Clean Air Strategy.”
Time: 4-6 meetings per annum.
Remuneration: £226 per diem.
Closes: 10 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Financial Reporting Council – CEO
“The mission of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to promote transparency and integrity in business. These are cornerstones to generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs, create prosperity and generate economic growth. The FRC sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries. The FRC also sets standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work. As the UK’s independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors, and takes action where necessary, to promote the quality of corporate reporting and audit. It also operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: £330,000 per annum.
Closes: 10 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Office of Rail & Road – Board Members
“ORR is the independent regulator for Britain’s railways and the independent monitor of Highways England. We are here to ensure the two networks operate safely, reliably, meet the needs of users, and provide value for taxpayers and customers by making best possible use of their capacity and their funding, and support economic growth across our country. A role on the ORR board provides an opportunity to use your skills and experience to contribute to the development of the sectors and the delivery of a strategy that would help shape the future of rail and road in the UK. Both of these sectors touch fundamentally on the ability of the UK’s economy to grow and prosper and are likely to change significantly in the next few years as opportunities emerge through innovation in technology and changing user behaviour.”
Time: 3.5 days per month average.
Remuneration: £22,429 per annum.
Closes: 17 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Charity Commission – Board Members
“Last year the Charity Commission redefined its purpose: to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society. To help us meet that purpose, fulfil our proud commitment to represent the public interest in charity, and meet the challenges we face, the Board has set a new and ambitious five-year strategic plan. To be the effective regulator that the public demands and the sector requires, the Commission must do all it can to ensure that charities show they are being true to their purposes, can demonstrate the difference they are making, and meet the high expectations of conduct and behaviour demanded by the public.”
Time: 18-24 days per annum approx.
Remuneration: £350 per diem plus reasonable expenses.
Closes: 19 June