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.
– – – – – – – – – –
British Film Institute – Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland Governors
“The role of the Governors is primarily to develop and oversee the implementation of BFI strategy and 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 BFI’s purpose, mission and vision, champion the BFI’s charitable work, and act as an advocate for the BFI, including assistance 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: See listing.
Remuneration: None
Closes: 03 October
– – – – – – – – – –
Historic England – Commissioners
“Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment. Our vision is for a heritage that is valued, celebrated and shared by everyone. A historic environment that people connect with and learn from and that we are proud to pass on to future generations. By protecting and caring for our historic environment, and through our research, listing, grant-aiding, planning and technical advice, we help our heritage have a positive impact on the world around us… The Commission is the governing body of Historic England and provides expert advice and guidance to the Executive. It has corporate responsibility for establishing the overall strategic direction of the organisation and for monitoring its performance against strategic objectives and targets.”
Time: Around 12 days per annum.
Remuneration: £4,133 per annum.
Closes: 03 October
– – – – – – – – – –
Financial Reporting Council – Chair
“The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries. The FRC also sets standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work. As the UK’s independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors, and takes action where necessary, to promote the quality of corporate reporting and audit. It also operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries… As a regulator working in the public interest, the FRC needs to respond appropriately to political, economic, environmental and technological change. It must be transparent and act with integrity. It must be a well-governed and accountable public body, independent from those it regulates, and follow its own principles of good governance and reporting.”
Time: 2 days per week
Remuneration: £35,000 per annum
Closes: 04 October
– – – – – – – – – –
Office for the Internal Market – Panel Member
“The Office for the Internal Market (OIM) is being created following the passage of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. Established within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Act places a duty onto the new body to carry out a set of independent advisory, monitoring, and reporting functions to support the development and effective operation of the UK internal market on an ongoing basis. Once set up later this year, the OIM will analyse the health of the UK internal market and report to the UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures. At the highest level, the OIM will be guided by and must have regard to the clear objective set out within the Act, which is to support, through the application of economic and other technical expertise, the effective operation of the internal market in the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom, consumers, and those with an interest in its operation.”
Time: Approx 30 days per annum
Remuneration: £400 per diem.
Closes: 03 October
– – – – – – – – – –
Transport Focus – Chair
“Transport Focus is the independent watchdog for transport users, and an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Transport. We’re led by a Board of non-executive directors and run by a management team. As Chair, you will be expected to work in partnership with staff and key stakeholders across the country. You will ensure that the user voice is not only heard but understood and acted upon by those in positions of influence. This is a role for a true leader, a proactive person with the capacity and passion to identify the need for, and promote, change, and communicate superbly. You will chair monthly meetings of the Transport Focus board.”
Time: 2 days per week
Remuneration: £35,000 per annum
Closes: 04 October
– – – – – – – – – –
The Pensions Regulator – Non-Executive Director
“The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is the independent UK regulator of work-based pension schemes. It is an arms-length public body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). TPR works with trustees, employers, and business advisers of occupational pension schemes in the private and public sectors, to help them understand their legal duties and the standards it expects. TPR also works with employers and their advisers to ensure compliance with Automatic Enrolment duties… TPR is operationally independent of Government and is overseen by a Board of executive and non-executive members. The Board ensures that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance and internal control. All Non-Executive Board members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions following open competition. These appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.”
Time: Approx 26 days per annum
Remuneration: £17,992 per annum.
Closes: 08 October
– – – – – – – – – –
Sport Wales – Chair
“You will be accountable to the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport for Sport Wales’ performance and for the delivery of strategic priorities. Developing and maintaining a close relationship with the Deputy Minister and key members of the Welsh Government is a crucial part of the Chair’s role: provide effective leadership to Sport Wales and its Board, defining and developing its strategic direction and representing the views of the Board to the general public; work with other members to discharge the functions of the Board which will comprise….”
Time: 2 days a week
Remuneration: £337 per diem, plus expenses
Closes: 13 October
– – – – – – – – – –
National Library of Wales – President
“This is a high-profile, strategic and influential role in the cultural sector in Wales. The new President will join the National Library of Wales during a period of change as the findings of the 2020 tailored review are addressed and as the Library moves to implement its new five year strategic plan for 2021-2026. The President is accountable to the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sports for the National Library’s performance and for the delivery of strategic priorities. Developing a close relationship with the Deputy Minister and key members of the Welsh Government is a crucial part of the role. The position requires a person of stature and vision, capable of leading a national institution in a senior non-executive role, and of being an advocate for the Library with its key stakeholders.”
Time: 1 day a week
Remuneration: £337 per diem, plus expenses
Closes: 13 October
– – – – – – – – – –
The National Archives – Chair
“The National Archives’ Board is the key strategic advisory body of The National Archives, It advises and supports the Chief Executive and Keeper as accounting officer, providing scrutiny and challenge for strategic decision making. As Chair you will work closely with the Chief Executive and Keeper to set the agenda for the Board. You will be the conduit between The National Archives’ Non-executive Board Members and the Chief Executive and Keeper, as well as senior officials at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) with whom you will meet at least annually. You will also work with other Chairs and senior officials within the DCMS ‘family’ of arms-length bodies. The Chair of The National Archives’ Board will also chair the Nominations and Governance committee.”
Time: Approx 42 days per annum
Remuneration: £20,000 per annum.
Closes: 11 October
– – – – – – – – – –
Regulator of Social Housing – Chair
“The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is seeking to appoint a Chair to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). The Chair will help guide the next phase of the organisation’s growth and development. We are open to applicants with a wide range of skills and backgrounds and would welcome hearing from applicants who have experience leading an organisation through significant change. This Government is committed to improving the lived experience of social housing tenants. The Charter for Social Housing Residents: Social Housing White Paper recognised the role RSH plays in protecting and empowering social housing tenants through a robust regulatory framework, and committed to strengthen that further. RSH will therefore have a key role to play in delivering the reforms set out in the White Paper in what will be an exciting and challenging time to join the organisation.”
Time: Max 2 days per week.
Remuneration: £65,000 per annum.
Closes: 18 October