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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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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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 September
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Coal Authority – Chair
“Do you want to make a difference for people and the environment in coal mining areas? If this interests you, we would like to hear from you about an exciting opportunity to lead the Coal Authority (CA) as it continues to resolve safety and environmental impacts from our coal legacy and to maximise low carbon and innovative opportunities from the heritage assets. The CA is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body that has its own independent Chair and Board but is responsible to the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).”
Time: At least five days a month.
Remuneration: £27,050 plus expenses.
Closes: 08 September
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Port of Tyne – Non-Executive Director
“The Port of Tyne, the largest UK trust port, is an independent statutory body governed by its own, unique, local legislation and controlled by an independent Board of Directors. Its primary duty is to manage, maintain, develop and improve the Port for the benefit of all its stakeholders. Two non-executive directors are required to join the Board for an initial 3-year term. We are seeking candidates who must be able to demonstrate an understanding and experience of: business and commercial imperatives; the Port’s interaction with stakeholders; local, regional and national and its significance in the community; working at Board level or equivalent; partnership working; joint ventures and project development.”
Time: 14 days per annum.
Remuneration: £14,587
Closes: 13 September
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Horserace Betting Levy Board – Chair
“We are seeking to appoint a new Chair to the Horserace Betting Levy Board. We are looking to appoint a candidate with strong leadership and relationship management qualities, excellent communication skills and experience in being responsible for the strategic distribution of funding and spending decisions. This is an exciting opportunity to work with both the public and private sector in supporting one of Britain’s greatest sports. The Chair will be responsible for providing leadership to the Board, overseeing a rigorous collection procedure and decision making for Levy distribution.”
Time: Up to six days per month.
Remuneration: £39,600 per annum plus expenses.
Closes: 18 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
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Independent Family Returns Panel – Chair
“The Chair is appointed by the Home Secretary to oversee the operation of the Independent Family Returns Panel (‘the Panel’). The Chair has overall accountability for the Panel’s work and is responsible for overseeing the operation and output of the Panel, in collaboration with the Home Office Sponsorship Unit and Family Returns Unit. As the Panel Chair your key responsibilities will be: providing effective leadership to deliver the safeguarding objectives of the family returns policy; and manage the Panel’s operation to ensure the necessary level of safeguarding of children’s interests…”
Time: 1-2 days per week.
Remuneration: £500 per diem.
Closes: 27 September
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Commission on Human Medicines – Commissioner
“Commissioners are required to: possess or develop a working knowledge and understanding of the UK/European medicines regulatory procedures; attend all scheduled and unscheduled meetings of the CHM (and to be present for the whole meeting); consider, comment and contribute by drawing on their individual expertise and judgement, as appropriate, on all agenda items and to assist the CHM to frame clear and unequivocal advice to Ministers in accordance with the CHM’s terms of reference; be able and prepared to speak on a range of relevant issues and not just on their own areas of specialism; provide formal and informal advice to Ministers between meetings when required…”
Time: Approx. 22 days per annum.
Remuneration: £325 per meeting.
Closes: 08 October