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Appointment details

Chair of the UK Sustainability Disclosure Technical Advisory Committee

Summary

• Organisation: Financial Reporting Council
• Sponsor department: Department for Business and Trade
• Location: London
• Sectors: Business and Trade
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Business
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 78 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £40000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 Years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 15 January 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   5 December 2023

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 15 January 2024

3. Sifting date

   19 January 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   15 February 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) are seeking an influential and experienced business leader to chair the new UK Sustainability Disclosure Technical Advisory Committee (“the TAC”). The TAC will be responsible for providing recommendations to the Secretary of State (SoS) for Business and Trade on endorsing the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (“ISSB”) IFRS® Sustainability Disclosure Standards (“Sustainability Disclosure Standards”) for use in the UK. The Chair will also be expected to lead the TAC’s influencing work with the ISSB. This is a challenging and high-profile role that will play a crucial part in the development of sustainability disclosures in the UK, and internationally.

Appointment description

About the role of the Chair

The Chair is responsible for leading the TAC by determining and implementing its work agenda in accordance with the TAC’s terms of reference (“ToR”) and any commissions from DBT.

Key responsibilities:

• Acting as the lead contact for the relationship with the SoS and DBT.

• Agreeing TAC meeting agenda items and papers.

• Commissioning work/analysis from secretariat staff.

• Promoting discussion and bringing together the views of the TAC membership to provide recommendations to the SoS.

• Ensuring the TAC considers all criteria in its ToR when deliberating on a Sustainability Disclosure Standard, and that it has regard to any contextual information provided by DBT.

• Leading the TAC’s engagement and influencing work, in particular with companies, investors, the ISSB, other national standard setters and securities regulators.

• Coordinating ISSB engagement and influencing efforts with government and regulators where interests overlap.

Organisation description

About the UK Sustainability Disclosure Technical Advisory Committee

The UK Government and financial regulators support ISSB’s development of Sustainability Disclosure Standards. This is an important initiative in facilitating global consistency of sustainability-related disclosures, providing investors with comparable and consistent information to inform decisions.

The Government will decide whether to endorse full or amended versions of the Sustainability Disclosure Standards (referred to as “UK-endorsed standards”), for use by UK companies, subject to an assessment of their suitability for application in the UK. The Secretary of State (“SoS”) for the Department for Business and Trade (“DBT”) is responsible for deciding whether to endorse Sustainability Disclosure Standards for use in the UK. This decision is subject to collective Cabinet agreement.

The TAC will provide a recommendation to DBT on whether use of a Sustainability Disclosure Standard be conducive to the long-term public good in the UK. In doing so the TAC will undertake comprehensive technical assessments of the Sustainability Disclosure Standards against matters set by the SoS. The TAC will also advise whether any amendments to the Sustainability Disclosure Standards are necessary for them to be effectively applied in a UK context.

The TAC will also have responsibility for influencing the ISSB’s technical work, including the way the ISSB develops its future standards and the ISSB's choices to amend or produce guidance on existing standards.

The TAC will consist of an independent Chair and members from the following categories:

• Academics

• Accounting, audit and assurance providers

• Economists

• Investors and other users of sustainability reports

• Preparers of sustainability reports

• Analysts of sustainability information

• FRC

• UKEB

The secretariat to the TAC will be provided by the FRC. The Secretariat will provide resources, schedule meetings, draft agendas and papers for meetings, take meeting minutes, undertake engagement with other parties (as requested by the TAC Chair), and lead the drafting of the TAC’s endorsement recommendations or any other advice.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Experience in a leadership role within a business.

• The ability to maintain an effective Committee, encourage debate, and challenge and steward a committee to arrive at overall technical decisions.

• An understanding of the work of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

• An understanding of the issues that may be relevant to the process for assessing whether proposed or published Sustainability Disclosure Standards would be conducive to the long-term public good in the UK.

• A working knowledge of the UK’s corporate reporting regime, including its non-financial reporting requirements, and financial reporting requirements (to the extent necessary for assessing sustainability standards).

• Prior experience of involvement in boards or committees.

• Strong intellectual qualities and sound judgement.

Desirable criteria

• Commercial awareness and an understanding of the political sensitivities related to the impact of use of Sustainability Disclosure Standards in the UK.

• Involvement in regulatory or policy development matters, or other relevant experience.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to clearly articulate the rationale for decisions to a wide range of stakeholders.

Application and selection process

How to apply

To apply, please visit the UKSDTAC Chair application portal, where you will be asked to submit your CV and covering letter, explaining why you are interested in the appointment and how you meet the candidate requirements detailed above. You will also be asked to submit a Candidate Self-Declaration Form and a diversity monitoring form (which includes voluntary questions, so you don’t have to answer those if you prefer). 

You have the option to apply under the Disability Confident scheme.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an in-person panel interview and final appointments will be subject to the provision of two satisfactory professional references. The closing date for applications is 15th January 2024 and interviews will take place during weeks commencing 5th and 12th of February 2024. The above dates are correct at time of writing but subject to change.

For any questions about the role or process please contact Andrew Timlin on Andrew.timlin@hays.com

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition. 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.

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 will consist of: 

• Andrew Death Deputy Director, Corporate Reporting and Audit, Department for Business and Trade)
• Mark Babington (Financial Regulation Council)
• Independent Panel Member (to be confirmed) 

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 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

Candidates shall not be:

• Officers of the accountancy or actuarial professional bodies regulated by the FRC.
• Currently employed by the UK government or FCA and PRA.
• A member of the UK Endorsement Board or any of its formal advisory groups.
• Currently employed by the FRC or a member of the FRC’s Advisory Panel.
• Practicing auditors or a person who has during the last three years:
• carried out statutory audits;
• held voting rights in an audit firm;
• been a partner or employee of an audit firm; or
• been a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body of an audit firm.
• Currently personally contracted to provide services to an audit firm.
• Holders of any appointments or contracted to provide consultancy, audit or other assurance services in connection with sustainability reporting.

 The Chair will be appointed in their personal capacity and should ensure that no preference is shown to their special interests and/or employing entity and professional, sectoral, or organisational affiliations. The Chair is required to declare their financial and non-financial interests on appointment and thereafter declare any relevant conflicts of interest.

The Chair will be expected to demonstrate the FRC’s Values and Behaviours and adhere to the FRC’s Code of Conduct.

Candidates shall not be:

· Officers of the accountancy or actuarial professional bodies regulated by the FRC.

· Currently employed by the UK government or FCA and PRA.

· A member of the UK Endorsement Board or any of its formal advisory groups.

· Currently employed by the FRC or a member of the FRC’s Advisory Panel.

· Practicing auditors or a person who has during the last three years:

1. carried out statutory audits;

2. held voting rights in an audit firm;

3. been a partner or employee of an audit firm; or

4. been a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body of an audit firm.

· Currently personally contracted to provide services to an audit firm.

· Holders of any appointments or contracted to provide consultancy, audit or other assurance services in connection with sustainability reporting.

The Chair will be appointed in their personal capacity and should ensure that no preference is shown to their special interests and/or employing entity and professional, sectoral, or organisational affiliations. The Chair is required to declare their financial and non-financial interests on appointment and thereafter declare any relevant conflicts of interest.

The Chair will be expected to demonstrate the FRC’s Values and Behaviours and adhere to the FRC’s Code of Conduct.

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 Andrew.timlin@hays.com.

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. These are:

1. Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. Integrity - Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3. Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5. Openness - Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
6. Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. Leadership - Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

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. 

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. 

Location

London, with some overseas travel.

Committee meetings and any in person meetings with executive staff are typically held in the London office. The FRC is expected to remain at the current premise of 125 London Wall to the end of its building lease in early 2025.

The FRC will also open a second location in Birmingham.

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.

£40,000 per annum for a time commitment of 78 days per year.

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 Public Appointments Team (dbtappointments@businessandtrade.gov.uk) in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.”

Data protection

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

Information on the Financial Reporting Council's privacy policy can be seen here

Information on Hays privacy policy can be seen here

Information on DBT's privacy policy can be seen here

Contact details

For any additional information please email andrew.timlin@hays.com