Five 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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National Citizen Service Trust – Board Members
“The management of NCS is moving from the existing Community Interest Company to a new Royal Chartered public sector body. This new organisation will be overseen by a new Board. We are seeking a Chair and non-executive directors to join this new Board. This is an extraordinary opportunity. The successful individual will have the chance to lead NCS through a period of organisational change and beyond, to advocate and communicate with energy and commitment, and to achieve great value for money. The successful candidate must demonstrate a keen appreciation of the needs of young people and the importance of social cohesion, social mobility and civic engagement. They should be committed to championing diversity and ensuring that the benefits of NCS are available to the widest range of young people.”
Time: Four meetings per annum plus occasional days.
Remuneration: “Reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 01 August
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British Hallmarking Council – Council Members
“The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) is a regulator responsible for supervising hallmarking in the United Kingdom. It is an executive non-departmental public body of BEIS. The BHC was established under the Hallmarking Act 1973 to protect consumers, including businesses acting as consumers. It ensures that there are adequate facilities for hallmarking in the UK and advises the Secretary of State for BEIS on hallmarking matters and hallmarking legislation. The BHC supervises the hallmarking activities of the four UK assay offices (London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh) and the UK’s hallmarking system, guaranteeing the purity of precious metals to protect the consumer and the trade.”
Time: Up to three meetings per annum.
Remuneration: “Travel, subsistence, and other reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 02 August
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NHS Counter-Fraud Authority – Non-Executive Director
“As a Non-Executive Director of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), you will be responsible for ensuring the sound governance of the NHSCFA, including ensuring robust and effective systems of financial control and risk management are in place. Along with the Non-Executive team, you will contribute to the development of the strategy and annual objectives to be approved by the Secretary of State. You will also ensure that the NHSCFA promotes the values of the NHS by setting a high standard for ethics and responsible business, and by building, maintaining and enhancing NHSCFA’s reputation as an open and independent body that places a high priority upon the safety of patients and staff.”
Time: 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: £7,883/£13,127 per annum.
Closes: 10 August
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Oil & Gas Authority – Chair
“You will lead the OGA Board as it regulates and promotes the UK oil and gas industry and your responsibilities will include: effective, cooperative and inclusive leadership of the Board that will provide sound strategic direction. This includes enabling a high standard of discussion, helping to steer the OGA by collaborative working across Government and industry, ensuring that systems are in place to provide Board members and the Executive team with the support they need to carry out their roles; working with the Board and Nominations Committee to ensure that the Board and Executive team have an appropriate and diverse range of skills, experience, and outlook; offer support and counsel to the Executive team while providing constructive challenge on the delivery of the OGA Plan…”
Time: Two days per week.
Remuneration: £200,000 per annum pro rata plus expenses.
Closes: 12 August
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East West Rail Company – Non-Executive Directors
“East West Railway Company is a new and exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the changing landscape of the rail industry, delivering substantial fast-paced improvement to modernise the railway. East West Rail is a proposed new rail link between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge and potentially beyond. As part of the wider plans for this strategically important corridor, it is one of the most high profile infrastructure projects in the UK today. The new railway will improve local connectivity and serve as a catalyst for economic development and the creation of new housing, as well as significantly reducing existing journey times. In the 2017 Budget, it was announced that the East West Railway Company would be established to bring new drive and focus to the project.”
Time: 15-20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 16 August