Civil Service Pension Board and Scheme Advisory Board Non-Executive Board Member
- Body
- Civil Service Pension Board and Scheme Advisory Board
- Appointing Department
- Cabinet Office
- Sector
- Business, Finance & Skills
- Location
- London
- Skills required
- Business / Commercial, Change Management
- Number of Vacancies
- Minimum 2 maximum 4
- Remuneration
- Range of £10,000 to £15,000 per annum
- Time Requirements
- Approximately 10 to 15 days per year
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
21/09/2020
-
Closed for Applications
19/10/2020
-
Panel Sift
28/10/2020
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Final Interview Date
30/11/2020
-
Announcement
25/03/2021
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
The Cabinet Office Parliamentary Secretary has appointed 2 new members to the Civil Service Pension Board (CSPB).
Tony Clare joined the board on 1 March 2021 and Shrin Honap will join on 1 April 2021, both will be in post for 5 years.
The purpose of the CSPB is to promote high standards of administration and governance for the Civil Service pension arrangements through advising, influencing, challenging and assisting the Scheme Manager in carrying out his or her responsibilities as set out in the Public Service Pension Schemes Act 2013.
Margaret Edwards, Chair of the Civil Service Pension Board said:
“I am delighted to welcome Tony and Shrin to the Civil Service Pension Board. I am confident that the knowledge and experience they bring to the board will greatly benefit the CSPB in its important work in assisting the Civil Service Pension Scheme Manager to provide the best services and outcomes for civil service pension members.”
Appointment process
The appointment process was run in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments and all appointments were made on merit. Both members confirmed that they have no political activity to declare.
Tony Clare does not hold any other public appointments. Shrin has confirmed that he holds positions on several other boards and panels, as shown in his biography.
Tony has recently retired from Deloitte from a career spanning over 30 years in the pensions industry.
Tony was a Pension Partner for both KPMG LLP and Deloitte LLP for 19 years in total. He was a Deloitte Board Member for the last 3 years of his career.
Tony has experience in both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes specialising in pension consultancy for both the private and public sectors. Tony was instrumental in the forming of NEST. Tony also designed the rescue scheme for the BHS pension arrangements and worked on the pension arrangements on the privatisation of the UK’s Civil Nuclear Industry.
Shrin is a Chartered accountant by profession and served with Vodafone, Capita, KPMG and Egg during his executive career.
Shrin currently holds a portfolio of Non-Executive roles, including Chair at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Office of the Public Guardian audit chair both due to end this summer. In addition he serves as the Audit Chair for the Rural Payments Agency, UKAEA and Low Level Waste Repository Limited. He also serves as a lay member for the Speakers Committee on Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Shrin has recently been appointed as a Panel Member of the Pensions Determination Panel which operates as an independent part of the the Pensions Regulator and is a panel member for the Competitions and Markets Authority. Shrin has particular interests in Public Service pensions, large transformation programmes, Risk Management, Finance & Developing Technology.
Date: 25/03/2021
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Margaret Edwards
- Added
- 16/09/2020
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Non-Executive Board Chair of CSPB Representative of Organisation
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- Panel Member
- Debra Soper
- Added
- 16/09/2020
- Positions
- Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer Civil Service HR Departmental Official
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- Panel Member
- Dominic Arthur
- Added
- 16/09/2020
- Positions
- Director Pensions and Government Recruitment Services Departmental Official
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- Panel Member
- Matt Thurstan
- Added
- 16/09/2020
- Positions
- Chief Financial Officer at the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government Independent Member
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Vacancy Description
The role of the Non- Executive Board Member (NEBM) is to provide professional expertise, challenge and direction to the CSPB/SAB while observing the responsibilities under the Public Service Pension Scheme Act 2013 (PSPA13) and the Code of Practice issued by the Pensions Regulator.
NEBMs will play an important part in the governance, administration and formulation of policy of the Civil Service pension arrangements. Scheme members, employers and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, as the Scheme Manager, rely on the Boards for advice and support. NEBMs play a vital role in bringing an independent perspective to the Boards in addition to specific knowledge and skills from the private sector.
The issues that the NEBMs will consider may at times be sensitive and complex, they will need to carry out their duties with the utmost care and attention, adhering to strict confidentiality rules.
The NEBMs role will be to work closely in assisting the Scheme Manager and the Cabinet Office with the management of the scheme. They will support the appropriate Board chair who will lead the Board in providing constructive challenge and advice to the Cabinet Office and on occasion to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. This may involve leading a subgroup as directed by the chair for specific tasks.
The Boards will assist the Cabinet Office through constructive challenge in respect of:
- The administration of both the defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements to make sure members of the schemes value and understand their benefits and are actively planning for their retirement.
- Securing compliance with the scheme regulations and other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Civil Service pension arrangements;
- Securing compliance with requirements imposed in relation to the Civil Service pension arrangements by the Pensions Regulator;
- Ensuring any breach of duty is considered and followed under procedures for reporting to the Pensions Regulator and to the Scheme Manager
- Influencing the behaviours of all parties, including employers and administrators in pursuit of the successful delivery of the Civil Service pension arrangements.
NEBMs should be able to use their specialist skills, knowledge and experience to help the Board carry out its business effectively. They will be required to scrutinise board papers, lead discussions, focus on key issues, and provide advice and guidance to other Board members. Non-Executive Members have a duty to uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity and to foster good relations.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills – able to collaborate effectively champion diversity and difference; accept collective responsibility and challenge appropriately;
- Experience in developing and implementing change for complex issues taking into account all relevant factors to reach practical workable solutions.
- A commitment to diversity, equity, efficiency and innovation
- The capacity to bring a fresh, external view to decision-making and independence of judgment;
- A professional track record of personal achievement at a senior level in turning complex projects around;
- Ability to analyse complex information, understand options presented and provide constructive feedback seek clarity as required.
Additionally, post holders will demonstrate experience and appreciation of the points below.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in public or private reward schemes, with knowledge of the pension sector being an advantage and an understanding of how government works
- An understanding of policy and public accountability, sound judgement and awareness of political sensitivities.
Additional Information
Opportunity to appoint an experienced and highly skilled professional to join both boards.
How to Apply
In order for us to progress your application please submit the following completed documentation:
- A Curriculum Vitae with your education, professional qualifications and full employment history
- An accompanying Supporting Letter (maximum 2 A4 pages) – setting out your suitability for the role and how you meet the essential and desirable skills set out in the person specification – please ensure your full name is clearly noted at the top of your letter.
- Monitoring form (Google) you do not need to have a Google account to complete the form (here) – any information you provide in Section A will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel. The form now includes questions about disability. Information to help answer these questions can be found on the Public Appointments website If you experience problems accessing the monitoring form please contact Karen Wilson (karen.wilson@cabinetoffice.gov.uk).