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.
– – – – – – – – – –
Navy Board – Non-Executive Member
“As a RN Non-Executive Director, you will contribute to the strategic direction of the RN at the highest levels. You will assist 1SL in discharging his responsibilities for the delivery against the RN Command Plan, reviewing Navy Executive committee progress and achievements against Naval Service Outputs. You will bring with you valuable skills, as well as objectivity and an independent perspective – not compromised by close previous involvement in the MOD. Primarily your role is to provide an effective “challenge” function in the conduct of Board business. You will constructively challenge and scrutinise the performance of the executive in meeting agreed goals and objectives. You will have the skills and experience to broaden the horizons within which the RN determines strategy. By applying the benefits of your wider general experience in influential positions, you will add value to Board discussions and ensure rigour in decision making.”
Time: Up to 14 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum max.
Closes: 03 May
– – – – – – – – – –
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: 07 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Skills Reform Board – Independent Chair
“Skills Reform is a top delivery priority within the DfE following the publication of the Skills for Jobs White Paper in January 2021. The Skills Reform Board has been recently formed and will provide oversight over the delivery of the commitments within the White Paper. The DfE is offering the exciting opportunity to Chair the newly formed Skills Reform Board. This is a great opportunity to use your skills and experience to make a difference to the Skills Reform delivery portfolio. We are seeking someone who is confident and constructive in their approach, and who can think both broadly and independently. It is essential that they are able to consider issues from a strategic perspective, in order to support and challenge the Board in its planning and risk management.”
Time: Up to 12 days per annum.
Remuneration: £400 per meeting.
Closes: 10 May
– – – – – – – – – –
HS2 Ltd – Chair
“HS2 is a once-in-a-generation investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure. As Chair of HS2 Ltd, exceptional leadership and brilliant communication must go hand in hand with a proven track record in delivery, to help unlock the multiple benefits of HS2 and the great potential of the many people working on this project. The right candidate will have the opportunity to not only lead a project of unprecedented size – but to inspire others as we embrace lasting change for this country. From boosting productivity to driving decarbonisation, HS2 remains at the forefront of the Government’s plans to fire up economic growth. Indeed, the transformational potential of the project is unparalleled. By creating thousands of apprenticeships and tens of thousands of skilled jobs, HS2 is at the heart of our plans to build back better from the pandemic, providing certainty at a time when people need it the most.”
Time: 3 days per week.
Remuneration: £200,000 per annum.
Closes: 20 May
– – – – – – – – – –
National Nuclear Laboratory – Chair
“NNL sits at the heart of this agenda with world-class science capability. The role of the organisation goes further in helping to restore the environment through technology to support legacy waste clean-up as well as working on innovative disciplines such as nuclear technology for medical applications and cancer treatment and nuclear technology to support space exploration. We are the UK’s national laboratory responsible for nuclear fission R&D, providing technical support to all aspects of the nation’s nuclear programmes, operating on a commercial basis with key customers such as NDA, MoD, EdF, as well as overseas public and private sector organisations.”
Time: 36 days per annum minimum.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum.
Closes: 28 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Antivirals Taskforce – Chair
“The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is looking to appoint a Chair of the new Antiviral Taskforce. The role of the Chair will be to oversee the work of the Taskforce, ensuring it meets its core objectives, namely, to have two effective antiviral treatments which are deployable by Autumn/Winter 2021 and to work with a range of stakeholders to meet this ambitious timescale. As Chair, you will also be required to create a pipeline of additional promising novel antivirals for potential deployment in 2022 and beyond, ensuring that there are strong manufacturing and supply chains in place.”
Time: 3 days per week minimum.
Remuneration: £63,000 per annum.
Closes: 29 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Channel 4 – Non-Executive Directors
“Channel 4 is a publicly owned and commercially funded UK public service broadcaster, with a statutory remit to deliver high-quality, innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo. Ofcom is responsible for appointing non-executive directors to the Channel Four Television Corporation (C4C) Board, subject to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s approval, and is seeking to appoint three Non-Executive Directors. Each of the three appointments will bring a particular skillset and area of expertise, including: current & media affairs; digital development and advertising; and finance and/or strategy. The successful candidates will also demonstrate strategic thinking, vision, and exceptional interpersonal skills, with a good understanding of the importance of strong governance.”
Time: 2 days per month.
Remuneration: £22,000 per annum.
Closes: 30 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Social Mobility Commission – Chair
“The Minister for Women and Equalities is seeking a new Chair for the Social Mobility Commission (SMC) to make the case for social mobility in England and hold Government and other leaders in the public sphere to account. The Chair will lead the Social Mobility Commission in promoting social mobility both within and outside Government, oversee work to strengthen the evidence base and improve public understanding of how opportunity is created and made accessible to all. Importantly, the Chair will lead the Commission in realising a more defined role in national life and launching a more clearly defined framework for assessing the impact of public policy on social mobility.”
Time: Up to six days per month.
Remuneration: £350 per diem
Closes: 11 June