Important

You can’t apply for this appointment

The application deadline has passed or the appointment has been closed for applications.

Appointment details

Chair of LocatED Property Ltd

Summary

• Organisation: LocatED
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: London
• Sectors: Property
• Skills: Business, Commercial, Legal, Major Projects, Procurement, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 25 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £1000 per day
• Length of term: Up to 4 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 11 April 2023

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   10 March 2023

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 11 April 2023

3. Sifting date

   28 June 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   31 August 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Appointment description

As a Non-Executive Board member, you will share responsibility for:

Independence: provide an independent perspective and assurance, including advice to the Minister, on the capability of LocatED. Provide independent support, guidance and challenge on the progress and implementation of the business plan.

Strategy: constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy and business planning, including the setting and development of key objectives and targets.

Performance: scrutinise the performance of the organisation in meeting agreed goals and objectives, and monitor the reporting of performance, including financial targets and efficiency goals.

Controls: ensuring that LocatED has proper internal controls, systems and processes in place to safeguard the use of public funds and manage risk.  

Governance: satisfy themselves that governance, and risk management systems are effective and capable of delivering relevant, accurate and timely management and financial information to the Board.

People: in consultation with the Department, set performance objectives and linked remuneration terms for the chief executive, which give due weight to the proper management and use of public resources.

Vision: Promoting and protecting LocatED’s position, values, mission, vision, integrity, image and reputation.

As Chair of the Board, you have additional responsibilities.

These are:

·         formulating the Board’s strategy

·         ensuring that the Board, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of guidance provided by the responsible minister or the Department

·         promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources

·         delivering high standards of regularity and propriety

·         representing the views of the Board to the general public

·         ensuring that the work of the Board and its members is regularly reviewed and appraised and that they are working effectively

·         ensuring that Board members are fully briefed on terms of appointment, duties, rights and responsibilities.

The qualities and skills you will bring to the role

●     A commitment to exercising impartial and independent judgement, drawing sound conclusions that differentiate and weigh up competing arguments that are capable of justification under close scrutiny.

●     Senior leadership experience in the private, public or voluntary sectors, including a demonstrable ability to chair the Board and provide effective challenge and support to the organisation.

●     Outstanding relationship building skills, with the ability to command respect, build networks quickly and work with and through others to achieve objectives.

●     High standards of integrity, commitment to public service values, and an understanding of the principles and practices of corporate governance.

Organisation description

The DfE is looking to recruit a new non-executive Chair of the Board of LocatED Property Services Ltd.

The core mandate for LocatED is to acquire sites for free schools. These transactions are rarely straightforward. They operate at pace and require complex negotiations with multiple partners across the private and public sectors. To achieve this, LocatED draw upon a multidisciplinary team with highly specialist skills and extensive property sector experience to secure the best possible deals on behalf of taxpayers.

In addition to the core remit, LocatED provides wider commercial property support, including property management and cross-government advice.

We want to hear from you if, you have the skills and experience, plus a passion for getting involved, and want to make a genuine difference to the future life chances of children from all backgrounds.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website  .

Person specification

Essential criteria

Essential criteria that must all be met by candidates are:

• Meaningful experience in commercial property, agency and advice, development, asset & property management and or associated sectors. Applications will undergo an initial sift against this lead criteria if we receive a significant number of applications.

• Strategic leadership experience of complex, dynamic organisations with experience of delivering changed remits, innovation and business development.

• Excellent strategic stakeholder management skills, including a demonstrable ability to operate effectively and comfortably as an ambassador for the organisation.

• A commitment to the Free Schools Programme.

• The ability to effectively lead an experienced board

Desirable criteria

• Prior experience as a Non-Executive Board Member or Chair of a Board.

• Wider experience or knowledge of the education system and the fragmented nature of the education property market

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions.

To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• the candidate evidence template: please complete the evidence form attached at the bottom of this advert to provide your evidence against the essential and desirable criteria; when you are asked to upload your supporting statement please upload the completed form.  In the event of a significant number of applications, an initial sift will be undertaken against the Lead Criteria, which is: Meaningful experience in commercial property, agency and advice, development, asset & property management and or associated sectors.

• equality information

• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues.

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

Please submit your application by midday on Tuesday 11 April 2023.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to be held in central London in July/ August 2023.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised by e-mail whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The Advisory Assessment Panel for this role will comprise:

• Departmental Official and Advisory Assessment Panel Chair - Sally Smith, Interim Director of Capital and Senior Sponsor for LocatED;
• Independent Panel Member - Mark Chivers, Government Chief Property Officer;
• Other Panel Member - Jane Hamilton, Chair of NHS Property Services and Non-Executive Director at the Government Property Agency.

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact located.sponsorship@education.gov.uk.

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the Department for Education Public Appointments Team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicappointments.applications@education.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days. Please include the vacancy title in the subject box.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

The Department for Education follows GDPR guidelines on the handling and retention of your private data; the Department's privacy notice is attached.

Contact details

If you have any questions about the role please email located.sponsorship@education.gov.uk. Please include the vacancy title in the subject box.