Four 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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Central Arbitration Committee – Chair
“The CAC is an independent statutory authority with specific functions relating to trade unions and employers. The most significant function of the CAC is adjudicating on the recognition and de-recognition of trade unions for collective bargaining in the workplace. This is carried out by applying the underpinning UK trade union recognition legislation when considering a union’s application for collective bargaining in a workplace, whilst seeking agreement between a union and the employer where possible. The incoming Chair will also set the strategic direction of the CAC by monitoring developments in employment law, reviewing the CAC’s case work and its performance, and identifying risks and succession planning.”
Time: One day per week.
Remuneration: £25,357 per annum (full-time equivalent), annual increases.
Closes: 10 April
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Intellectual Property Office – Chair of the Steering Board
“The Intellectual Property Office Steering Board is responsible for advising the CEO and Minister on the overall direction and policies of the IPO. It ensures the IPO delivers on its strategic priorities and that resources are allocated effectively for their delivery. The Steering Board also regularly reviews the management and performance of the IPO and ensures high standards of corporate governance are maintained at all times. The role of Chair is an important one and demands effective strategic leadership of the Board and the ability to speak on its behalf. The Chair will work closely with the full-time Chief Executive, who is the IPO’s Accounting Officer.”
Time: 22 days per annum.
Remuneration: £450 per diem up to £10,000 per annum, plus “reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 17 April
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Committee on Fuel Poverty – Member
“The Committee on Fuel Poverty (CFP) is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Its role is to advise on policies designed to tackle fuel poverty. It was originally established in 2001 as the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG), to advise on the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing fuel poverty, and to encourage greater co-ordination across the organisations working to address this problem in England.”
Time: Two days per month on average.
Remuneration: £8,400 per annum.
Closes: 17 April
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Marine Management Organisation – Chair
“The non-executive Chair of the MMO will lead the Board, set the overall strategic operational direction of the MMO, ensure good governance and with the Board, hold the Executive to account. The Chair will be responsible for: providing effective leadership and strategic direction to develop a cohesive and focused Board which recognises the need to work collaboratively with the Defra group, wider Government, other delivery bodies and stakeholders to deliver Government objectives effectively and efficiently…”
Time: Eight days per month.
Remuneration: £40,459 per annum.
Closes: 18 April
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Ministry of Justice – Prison and Probation Ombudsman
“The office holder is not required to have a background within the criminal justice or immigration system but must have an appreciation of the issues affecting these areas. The Secretary of State for Justice looks to the Ombudsman to make custody and offender supervision within England and Wales safer and fairer. The Ombudsman has an essential role, carrying out independent investigations into deaths and complaints in custody in addition to sharing important lessons learned on key issues. The purpose of these is to understand what happened, correct injustices and identify changes that need to be made.”
Time: “Based on a 37-hour working week”.
Remuneration: £100,000 per annum for three years.
Closes: 18 April
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NHS Improvement – Chair
“NHS Improvement is responsible for overseeing foundation trusts and NHS trusts, as well as independent providers that provide NHS-funded care. NHS Improvement offers the support these providers need to give patients consistently safe, high quality, compassionate care within local health systems that are financially sustainable. By holding providers to account and, where necessary, intervening, NHS Improvement helps the NHS to meet its short-term challenges and secure its future.”
Time: 2-3 days per week.
Remuneration: £63,000 per annum.
Closes: 19 April
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Department for Communities and Local Government – Housing Ombudsman
“The Housing Ombudsman has responsibility for investigating complaints against social landlords in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman Scheme. Housing is an important part of everyone’s lives and issues relating to our homes can have a huge emotional impact. The Housing Ombudsman plays an important role in ensuring the fair resolution of disputes, aiming to resolve problems quickly and efficiently. Rented housing plays a vital role in the nation’s housing and we are keen to see that tenants experience good standards of service regardless of whether their landlord is a local authority, housing association or private landlord.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: Up to £120,000 per annum.
Closes: 23 April
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UK Research & Innovation – Chief Finance Officer
“The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is now looking to appoint UK Research and Innovation’s Chief Finance Officer (CFO). The CFO will be vital to the success of this new organisation. Working closely with the interim Chair, the CEO, the Board (of which they will be a member) and stakeholders across the sector, the CFO will aid in the design and establishment of the new organisation, building vital relationships, developing strategy, and putting the working model for the new system in place. They will shape and lead a globally important, pioneering new organisation.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: Circa £142,000 per annum, plus pension and performance-based pay.
Closes: 05 May