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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Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs – Members
“Do you want to play a leading role in advising the Government on a range of issues relating to drug misuse? The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is one of the most important expert advisory non-departmental public bodies in Government. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 the ACMD has a statutory duty to keep drug misuse in the United Kingdom under review, and to advise the Government on measures for preventing misuse and the resulting health and social problems. The ACMD is also a statutory consultee under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. As a member of the ACMD, you will contribute towards the development and delivery of independent and expert advice to Government.”
Time: 10-15 days per annum.
Remuneration: Travel expenses.
Closes: 16 April
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Department for Transport – General Aviation Champion
“Ensuring the department is able to effectively take into account the specific needs of the GA sector by: collating and distilling for the Minister the views of the private and commercial General Aviation sectors (the GA sector) on the impacts of policies of relevance to them, indicating how much support various propositions have across the sector and where that support is located; undertaking visits and holding meetings with GA stakeholders wishing to make a case to the government for policy change or stability and to summarise for the Minister the features and findings of these events; assisting the GA sector in prioritising its concerns, setting them out in detail and with rigour and putting them into a wider context of government policy; [and] working with the GA sector to help it to present its position to a range of relevant government departments and to capitalise on interactions with and feedback offered by those departments.”
Time: Two days per month.
Remuneration: £350 per diem.
Closes: 19 April
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Financial Reporting Council – Chair/Deputy Chair
“The mission of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to promote transparency and integrity in business. These are cornerstones to generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs, create prosperity and generate economic growth. The 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..”
Time: 3 days per week.
Remuneration: £150,000 per annum
Closes: 22 April
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Ministry of Defence – Defence Board Member (NED)
“The Secretary of State for Defence is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Board Member to join the Board of the Ministry of Defence. The successful candidate will work with the rest of the Defence Board to support Ministers in setting the strategic direction of the Department, whilst also supporting and challenging the senior management team on the delivery of policy objectives. Non-Executive Board Members are expected to provide independent scrutiny for the department, support good governance and advise on policy matters and cross-government initiatives.”
Time: 15-20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum
Closes: 26 April
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Defence Equipment & Support – Chair
“DE&S is an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). We are at the leading edge of defence procurement operating across sectors, with a civilian and military workforce of around 11,400 in the UK and abroad. We manage a vast range of complex projects to buy and support the equipment and services that the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force need to operate effectively. We deliver major commercial projects for Government; negotiating deals with FTSE 100 companies and equivalents, and spent £13.5 billion last financial year for our armed forces customers. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the board of an organisation which plays a critical role in maintaining national security, whilst delivering some of the most complex projects and programmes in the world in a fast paced and challenging environment.”
Time: 2-3 days per week.
Remuneration: £150,000 per annum
Closes: 29 April
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Defence Nuclear Safety Committee – Chair
“The Defence Nuclear Safety Committee (DNSC) is the primary source of independent expert advice to the Secretary of State for Defence on all nuclear safety issues associated with the Defence Nuclear Programme (DNP). The DNP has a scope covering the Nuclear Weapon Programme and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme which encompasses Nuclear Submarines and the infrastructure used to support both programmes… The Committee’s ultimate focus is assuring the Secretary of State for Defence about the soundness of the Department’s safety practices and safety management arrangements.”
Time: 25 days per annum approx.
Remuneration: £465 per diem plus expenses.
Closes: 29 April
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British Council Board of Trustees – Chair
“The Chair will be critical to delivering the British Council’s purpose. The Chair must be credible with senior stakeholders and able to operate at the highest levels on a global stage, both within and outside government. The Chair must have a passion for the British Council’s mission, and an enthusiasm for and understanding of the arts and education and the diversity of contemporary British life, culture and society. Candidates must demonstrate a strong record of achievement at the most senior level in large and complex organisations. They must have the international awareness necessary to operate confidently in less stable and more politically sensitive parts of the world.”
Time: 40+ days per annum.
Remuneration: “Reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 03 May
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Copywright Tribunal – Lay Members
“We are seeking people to sit on the Copyright Tribunal as lay members. If you are appointed, you will sit alongside the legally qualified Chair of the Tribunal to provide your perspective and opinion on all matters on the case, with a focus on the commercial, financial, cultural and non-legal aspects of the dispute. While copyright licensing disputes are rare, the disputes that arise are often complex yet interesting and go to the heart of the value of copyright works in society. As such, the workload is varied and it is important to be aware that there may be no cases in any one year.”
Time: 25 days per annum typically.
Remuneration: £450 per diem “plus travel and subsistence”.
Closes: 05 May
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Historic England – Commissioners
“Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from churches and battlefields to parks and high streets. We champion and protect the places that define who we are and where we have come from as a nation. We champion the historic environment, helping people discover the great places that add colour and character to our lives. We include everyone’s history because we know every community has made a contribution that is worth understanding and celebrating. We protect by identifying the most important parts of our heritage, by listing and conserving, and by speaking up for places that are at risk. We care by helping communities and professionals to look after their local heritage.”
Time: 15-20 days per annum typically.
Remuneration: £4,133 per year plus ‘reasonable expanses’.
Closes: 15 May