Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their 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, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
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Charity Commission – Chair
“The Charity Commission is the independent registrar and regulator of charities in England and Wales. Its role is to register and regulate the charities in England and Wales, and to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence. It regulates over 168,000 registered charities and £81.2 billion of charitable income. A non-Ministerial Department, it is based across four sites, employing approximately 420 staff and in 2019/20 had a budget of £29.3 Million. Its current Strategic Plan comes to an end in 2023… The Charity Commission’s Board is ultimately responsible for all that the Commission does. In order for the Commission to discharge its responsibilities appropriately and effectively, day-to-day and operational management is delegated to the Chief Executive.”
Time: Two and a half days per week.
Remuneration: £62,500 per annum.
Closes: 09 April
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UK Government Investments Ltd (UKGI) – Chair
“The Chair of UKGI is a critical role of national importance, providing effective leadership and direction to the Board, shaping the organisation’s strategy and providing appropriate and robust challenge to the senior executive team. Appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chair will lead UKGI through a period of growth, maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders, and representing UKGI externally. Lead the Board effectively, drawing out the skills and experience of other Non-Executive Board Members (NEDs) and working collaboratively with the Executive. Ensure the optimal balance between support and challenge, particularly between the Non-Executive and the Executive, both through setting the best example as well as leading and guiding Board discussions and decisions. Ensure that the Board is effective in providing direction and holding the executive to account.”
Time: Six days per month.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum, plus extra fees.
Closes: 16 April
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Gambling Commission – Chair
“The Chair will lead the Commissioners of the Gambling Commission to deliver its statutory objectives and formulate and implement its strategic aims. The Chair’s responsibilities are: strategic leadership of the Board in setting the overall direction, policy and plans for the Gambling Commission; supporting and holding the executive to account to ensure delivery of the Commission’s business plan and forward strategy; encouraging high standards of propriety and promoting the efficient and effective use of resources throughout the organisation; and leading and motivating the Commissioners, and the Chief Executive, in undertaking their roles, including agreeing objectives and undertaking annual appraisals.”
Time: Two days per week.
Remuneration: £55,000 per annum.
Closes: 19 April
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Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority – Chair
“Being Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is a role like no other and now is an exciting time to join an organisation that is embarking on a major programme of transformation, with a real desire to put customer service at the forefront of its regulatory functions. IPSA’s mission is to enable MPs to focus on what really matters by providing an exemplary, seamless regulatory service, underpinning its purpose of supporting democracy with great service, fair rules and wise spending. Its purpose, mission and values are all newly defined through extensive internal and external engagement and IPSA have recently secured additional funding through the Speaker’s Committee for IPSA (SCIPSA) to deliver its new 3-year Corporate Plan.”
Time: Two days per week.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 26 April
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BBC – Member for Scotland
“The Nation Member for Scotland will be expected to: support the Mission and Public Purposes of the BBC, which is to act in the public interest, serving all audiences and all sections of the population through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain; support the Chair and the Chief Executive (Director General) to deliver the BBC’s strategic and business plans and effectively discharge its statutory and Charter responsibilities in line with corporate governance best practice; provide leadership ensuring the BBC is up to the challenge of keeping pace with enormous technological changes, and promoting the BBC’s status as a globally-recognised British institution; and be a senior representative and ambassador of the BBC to its various stakeholders, including the United Kingdom Government and Parliament and the Devolved National Government of Scotland.”
Time: Two days per week on average.
Remuneration: £33,000 per annum.
Closes: 30 April
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NHS Business Services Authority – Chair
“This is an opportunity to operate at national level and support the delivery of a wide range of critical business services to the NHS that have a tangible impact on people’s lives. The core responsibilities of the role are as follows: provide effective, visible and professional leadership to the Board in the pursuit of BSA’s strategic vision and underpinning business plans to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan and the Department of Health and Social Care’s priorities; chair Board and sub-committee meetings in accordance with BSA’s corporate governance framework, managing the interface between BSA’s Non-Executive Board members and the senior executive team and monitoring and improving the effectiveness of the Board and leading succession planning….”
Time: “Two to three days per week.”
Remuneration: £63,000 per annum.
Closes: 30 April
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British Transport Police Authority – Members
“The British Transport Police (BTP) is the specialist police service for Britain’s railways. BTP’s work is wide reaching. It provides an important service to all passenger and freight operators, Network Rail, their staff and customers across England, Scotland and Wales, keeping them safe and secure. As a public body, the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) holds BTP to account for the delivery of this vital police service, ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency. The Secretary of State for Transport wishes to appoint up to five new Members of the BTPA. Applicants should have knowledge and experience in relation to the interest of one or more of the areas listed below: persons providing railway services; knowledge of the interests of persons in Wales; [and] railway passengers.”
Time: 30 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 05 June