Recommendation 12

The governance structure concerning selection routes for very senior appointments is convoluted and unclear, and has evolved significantly since the Senior Appointments Protocol was agreed and the most recent Recruitment Principles published. Among other changes, the Prime Minister now appears directly to approve appointments at director general level, an evolution not widely publicised. The Senior Appointments Protocol and Recruitment Principles should both be updated, in particular to reflect the ‘external by default’ policy and the Prime Minister’s role in approving director general appointments. We welcome the commitment of the Cabinet Secretary and First Civil Service Commissioner to ensure this is done. The Senior Appointments Protocol and Recruitment Principles should both be updated, in particular to reflect the ‘external by default’ policy and the Prime Minister’s role in approving director general appointments.