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.
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Council for Science & Technology – Members
“The Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology (CST) is the Government’s top-level advisory body on science and technology issues. It reports directly to the Prime Minister on matters of science and technology that cut across the responsibilities of government departments. It is co-chaired by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and an independent appointee. The Council is looking to renew its membership from January 2020. We are looking for eight new members from: business – large and small; across industry sectors: applications from technology manufacturing, digital services, and the financial sector would be particularly welcome; not-for-profit organisations with a research or ‘science and society’ focus; [and] academia.”
Time: Four meetings a year, plus ad hoc extras.
Remuneration: None.
Closes: 02 August
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Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons – Chief Inspector
“Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales is a Crown appointment made on the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice. The Chief Inspector is part of and leads the Inspectorate, which is an independent body. The Inspectorate provides independent scrutiny of the conditions for and the treatment of prisoners and other detainees, promoting the concept of “healthy establishments” in which staff work effectively to support prisoners and detainees to reduce reoffending and achieve positive outcomes for those detained and for the public. The Chief Inspector has a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State on conditions in prisons and the treatment of prisoners in all prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales including those run by the private sector.”
Time: Full-time, for three years.
Remuneration: £135,000 per annum.
Closes: 04 August
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Student Loans Company – Chair of the Board
“The Chair of the SLC Board has the usual fiduciary duties associated with a director of a UK Company, but is also answerable to the Minister for Higher Education. This relationship is one of the primary formal communication channels between SLC and its parent department. Striking the right balance between the Board exercising its fiduciary duties and acting on instructions from its shareholders will be a key task for the Chair. The Minister for Higher Education writes to the SLC’s Chair annually on behalf of all four Shareholders setting out their strategic priorities for the year. This is a key document and will form the basis for the Chair’s own objectives.”
Time: ~8 days per annum.
Remuneration: £50,000 per annum.
Closes: 06 August
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UK Sport – Board Members
“The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is looking to appoint two individuals as Board Members of UK Sport. UK Sport is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by DCMS. The UK Sport Board is made up of 12 non-executive Board Members, including the Chair and nominees from the Sports Councils of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Board is appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. UK Sport is seeking to appoint two Members to their Board.”
Time: 6-10 days per annum.
Remuneration: £218 per diem plus expenses.
Closes: 07 August
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The National Lottery Fund – Chair of the Board
“The National Lottery Community Fund is established as a non-departmental public body by an Act of Parliament. The Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Fund, as set out in its Strategic Framework, People in the Lead and for the Fund’s governance. Funding decisions are delegated to five portfolio committees (UK, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and to Executive Officers, with the Board retaining strategic oversight for delivery of the Fund’s strategic framework: People in the Lead, and governance responsibility.”
Time: “Up to two days per week”.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum plus expenses.
Closes: 07 August
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Competition & Markets Authority – Panel Members
“The CMA works to promote competition for the benefit of consumers, both within and outside the UK. Its aim is to make markets work well for consumers, businesses and the economy, with a strong consumer protection role. In order to meet these responsibilities, it operates with flexibility and transparency. The CMA’s current primary activities are to operate the antitrust, mergers and market regimes; provide advice and guidance to businesses to help them understand and comply with competition law; enforce consumer protection legislation; assess challenges to sector regulators’ decisions; and resolve disputes relating to licence and price modification proposals. The Government has also chosen the CMA to be the UK’s independent state aid authority once the UK leaves the EU.”
Time: “Varies depending on the assignment”.
Remuneration: £400 per diem plus expenses.
Closes: 09 August
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General Osteopathic Council – Chair
“We are seeking our next Chair to lead our Council in shaping the strategic direction for healthcare regulation and development of the osteopathic profession. The time commitment for this position is expected to be no more than 78 days a year, and remuneration is £27,000 per annum. Travel and subsistence expenses are refundable in line with our expenses policy. The appointment commences on 1 April 2020 (initially for up to four years). You do not need to be an osteopath to apply.”
Time: No more than 78 days per annum.
Remuneration: £27,000 per annum plus reasonable expenses.
Closes: 28 August
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British Film Institute – Governors
“The role of the Governors is primarily to develop BFI strategy and oversee implementation of policy, as well as provide constructive challenge to the organisation in order to support it in achieving its strategic aims. A Governor should have a commitment to the objectives of the BFI and champion the BFI’s charitable work, and act as an advocate for the BFI, including assisting with activities to generate funding from the corporate sector, trusts and foundations and philanthropy. Furthermore, the Governors will support the BFI to achieve value for money and sustainability across its activities.”
Time: Six or more days per year.
Remuneration: Reasonable expenses.
Closes: 04 September
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Civil Aviation Authority – Chair
“The Chair’s role has a diverse remit falling into five key areas. Strategic development and policy oversight: work proactively with the board and with Government to keep the strategic objectives under continual review so that the CAA has clear direction and leadership; build strategic consensus across the board and guide strategy development and delivery; provide strong and constructive challenge to the executive, ensuring policy delivery follows strategic direction; whilst the CAA operates in a complex, safety and security critical environment, you will ensure that it continues to put consumers’ needs first…”
Time: Two days per week.
Remuneration: £130,000 per annum.
Closes: 27 September