Select Committee · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Government

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Jun 2022 Closed: 9 Oct 2023 21 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

Non-executive directors (NEDs) have existed in Government departments in their current form since 2010, but little is known about their roles and impact. The aim of this inquiry is to explore the responsibilities, backgrounds, and influence of non-executives, as well as the appointments process, appropriate roles, and mechanisms for accountability.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Gov… HC 318 20 Jun 2023 27 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
10 Recommendation Seventh Report - The Role of Non-Execut… Not Addressed

Update the Corporate Governance Code to define standard desirable skills for departmental Non-Executive Directors.

We recommend that the Corporate Governance Code is updated to include a standard set of skills and qualities which are deemed desirable to undertake the role of a departmental NED or Lead NED, rather than express a preference for individuals from specific sectors. This would not preclude further specific expertise …

Government response. The government states that the Secretary of State considers specific experience and skills for vacancies, but does not address the recommendation to update the Corporate Governance Code with a standard set of skills.

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
17 Jan 2023 Michael Jary · Cabinet Office, Rt Hon Jeremy Quin MP · Cabinet Office View ↗
8 Nov 2022 Dame Sue Street DCB · Ministry of Justice, Miranda Curtis CMG · Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Ian Cheshire · Channel 4 View ↗
19 Jul 2022 Alan Cogbill · Constitution Unit, University College London, Dr Matthew Gill · Institute for Government, Mr Martin Wheatley · Commission for Smart Government View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
7 Feb 2023 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Jeremy Quin MP on the role of Non-Executive Directors, dated…