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.
– – – – – – – – – –
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: 07 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Port of London Authority – Chair
“The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the Custodian of 95 Miles of the tidal Thames, home to the UK’s biggest port and busiest inland waterway. The Port of London Authority’s 400 strong workforce delivers a range of essential services for port and river users to facilitate freight movement, passenger services and recreational use of the river. Its key workers have kept the Port of London fully operational throughout the pandemic ensuring a continuing supply of food, fuel and other essentials into London and the wider UK. Over 45,000 jobs depend on the port, which generates more than £4.5 billion per annum in economic value added annually. In addition, there are over 100,000 jobs related to the river as an amenity generating a further value added of over £2 billion per annum.”
Time: One day per week.
Remuneration: £85,000 per annum.
Closes: 08 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Great Britain China Centre – Director
“The Great Britain-China Centre is a public body under the auspices of, but independent from, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). GBCC works to support the government’s strategic relationship with China by broadening access and channels of engagement through political dialogues, legal exchanges and capability building. Working in close partnership with HMG and other UK institutions including parliament, the political parties, the judiciary and the legal profession, academia and business, GBCC occupies a niche role creating diverse entry points for UK-China dialogue especially on global governance, rule of law and justice issues. An ambitious new strategy for 2021-2025 has recently been approved and is in its first phase of implementation.”
Time: Quarterly meetings.
Remuneration: None.
Closes: 10 June
– – – – – – – – – –
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
– – – – – – – – – –
Northern Ireland Office – Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland
“The Commissioner regulates, monitors and reports on a wide range of Ministerial appointments to the Boards of public bodies in Northern Ireland. In this context, the main responsibilities and duties of the Commissioner will be to: prescribe, publish and update a Code of Practice, and provide further advice and guidance to Ministers and Departments as necessary on the interpretation and application on the principle of selection on merit; oversee the systematic sample auditing of departmental public appointment procedures and promote compliance with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice; investigate complaints and conduct inquiries into departmental policies and practices in relation to public appointments…”
Time: 75 days per annum.
Remuneration: ££23,877 per annum.
Closes: 11 June
– – – – – – – – – –
UK City of Culture 2025 Expert Panel – Members
“DCMS has launched the search for the UK City of Culture 2025. The expert advisory panel will assess the bids for the title and make recommendations to the Secretary of State for DCMS at each stage of the competition. We are seeking individuals with experience ranging across but not limited to: arts and culture (including artists and practitioners), community engagement, youth, evidence and analysis, creative industries, commercial and business, finance, heritage, museums, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, place-making and regeneration, marketing and communication; environmental sustainability, digital, international and tourism. In total, there will be 11 panel members, including the Chair, Deputy Chair and four nation representatives for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.”
Time: 15-18 days.
Remuneration: None
Closes: 21 June
– – – – – – – – – –
National Library of Scotland – Chair
“The National Library of Scotland (NLS) is the largest library in Scotland, one of the pre-eminent research libraries in Europe and the major centre for the study of Scottish literature and culture. In recent years it has developed a reputation for highly innovative approaches to widening access to its collections and expanding engagement with the many diverse communities in Scotland. This remains the core theme of the Library’s recently published future strategy, ‘Reaching People’. In 2025 the National Library will celebrate its centenary and the Chair will be expected to play a leading role in the events marking that important milestone.”
Time: “The time available to make a full contribution to the Library”.
Remuneration: None
Closes: 21 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Office of Rail and Road – Non-Executive Directors
“We are seeking up to three Non-Executive Board Members to strengthen our board’s capability across the following areas: data analytics and understanding the application of big data; infrastructure operations and delivery programme management; sustainability and decarbonisation; digital technology and innovation; consumer interests and promoting the use of the networks. Our current board members are from a range of disciplines and sectors and we are keen to receive applications from individuals who are also able to represent the diverse views of rail passengers, freight customers, road users, and their representatives. Previous executive experience across the transport (aviation, marine, rail or road) and infrastructure sectors and operation of other infrastructure networks may be helpful.”
Time: 3.5 days per month.
Remuneration: £20,000 per annum
Closes: 07 July