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Role details

Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee

Application deadline 17 October 2022

Summary

• Organisation: UK Export Finance Departmental Board
• Sponsor department: UK Export Finance
• Location: London
• Sectors: Business and Trade
• Skills: Audit and Risk
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 25 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £25000 per annum
• Length of term: Three years
• Application deadline: 11:55pm on 17 October 2022

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   20 September 2022

2. Application deadline

   11:55pm on 17 October 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

International trade is a fundamental driver of economic growth. UK Export Finance (UKEF) is at the heart of the UK Export Strategy, which sets out Government support to help British businesses succeed in an overseas marketplace, driving sustainable growth in the UK and abroad. UKEF’s mission is to advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.

UKEF is the UK’s export credit agency, reporting into the Secretary of State for International Trade. We are strategically and operationally aligned with the Department for International Trade. Founded in 1919 as the world’s first export credit agency, we have been innovating since day one, and now have over 100 years’ track record supporting UK exports.

We are now seeking a new Audit Chair to join our Board. This non-executive board member will bring an external, independent, perspective to UKEF’s operations and as Audit Chair will build an open and effective relationship with key stakeholders such as the Chief Finance and Operating Officer, Audit Committee members, and external Auditors. Other roles of the Audit Chair will be to advise on financial reporting, governance, internal control and associated assurance. As well as chairing the Audit Committee you will be a member of the Risk Committee as well and can be a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Successful candidates will have the credibility to advise the Board and key government stakeholders, based on private sector experience and expertise in key areas including trade and export finance. You will be either have experience as a non-executive member of an Audit Committee of a financial institution; or as a successful audit or senior finance professional from either a financial institution or an infrastructure finance and investment background, who has worked closely with Board Audit Committees. You will have excellent current knowledge and proficiency in

accounting standards and how to apply them as well as excellent inter-personal skills and demonstrable capability to manage complex

stakeholder relationships within a senior leadership context.

This role offers the right candidate an opportunity to be part of a global network connected to overseas markets, unlocking new opportunities for the country.

Role description

As a Non-Executive Director, you will bring an external, independent, perspective to UKEF’s operations and as Audit Chair will build an open and effective relationship with key stakeholders such as the Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Audit Committee members, and external Auditors. Other roles of the Audit Chair will be to advise on financial reporting, governance, internal control and associated assurance. You will fulfil all the normal duties of an Audit Committee Chair. As well as chairing the Audit Committee you will be a member of the Risk Committee as well a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Credibility to chair the UKEF Audit Committee, having been either:
• A non-executive member of an Audit Committee of a financial institution; or
• A successful audit or senior finance professional from either a financial institution or an infrastructure finance and investment background, who has worked closely with Board Audit Committees

• Excellent current knowledge and proficiency in accounting standards and how to apply them, particularly relating to financial and insurance organisations. Experience of making effective contribution to the success and good governance of similar high-profile organisations.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and demonstrable capability to manage complex stakeholder relationships within a senior leadership context, including the ability to mentor senior executives as appropriate.
• Experience of working with Internal Audit and of both reviewing and evaluating internal company controls to ensure compliance.

Desirable criteria

• Prior experience and understanding of international trade and export markets, particularly for capital goods.
• Possess a qualified Chartered Accountancy, CIMA, or equivalent qualification with relevant financial expertise.
• Successful experience chairing either a Board or chairing an Audit committee.
• Strong understanding of a Board and organisational governance.
• Strong understanding of TCFD requirements.
• Experience of working with organisations through major accounting standards transitions.
• Knowledge of the public sector environment.

Application and selection process

How to apply

GatenbySanderson, an executive search agency, has been appointed to assist with this appointment. Please view the candidate pack for further details.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the advertisement listed for this role. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on Monday 17 October 2022.

All applications must be submitted via the following link https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe90246/Non-Executive-Director-Chair-of-Audit-Committee/

You will be asked to submit the following:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years;
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than three pages) explaining: a. Your motivation for applying for this role b. How you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification;
3. A completed Diversity Monitoring Form;
4. A completed Conflict of Interests Form.

Failure to submit these documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

Please note this campaign is being run in association with UK Government Investments (UKGI) – candidates are asked to read the UKGI privacy notice prior to applying (see Annex 2)

UKEF is a place where everyone is valued, respected and welcomed. Our ongoing commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) means we’re creating an inclusive workplace, built upon equal policies, procedures and transparency, where everyone’s free to be themselves and feel like they belong. From early careers to executive level, we look beyond barriers to find the people for the job.

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process. The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section for interview with GatenbySanderson. Following this, the panel will then select a shortlist for panel interview and stakeholder meetings. Failure to address any or all of these criteria may affect your application. Candidates will be advised of the outcome of decisions as soon as possible.

Should you have any questions regarding the process, please contact kirsten.hasseriis@gatenbysanderson.com

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)

Candida Morley: Director UKGI, NED at UKEF (Panel Chair)

Noel Harwerth: Chair, UKEF

Jenny Knott: Independent Panel Member

Richard Callard: Executive Director, UKGI

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

This role is open to UK nationals, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS), relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service, relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service and certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals.

Individuals from EU and outside the EU: With effect from 1st January 2021 the UK will be operating a points-based immigration system. Individuals arriving in the UK on or after 1st January will require a visa and will need to be sponsored by an employer.

EU, EEA or Swiss citizens who have lived in the UK by 31st December 2020 need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30th June 2021.

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

UKEF participates in the Disability Confident Scheme, and as such we will offer interviews with the head-hunter to disabled candidates who meet the published minimum requirements for a job or role. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, you should complete the relevant section of the online application. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability.

Whether you choose to apply under the Disability Confident scheme or not, you can still ask us to make particular adjustments for you when attending an interview. Further information regarding the scheme can be found at https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

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. These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

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 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.  

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.

Data protection

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

This recruitment campaign is being run in association with UKGI.

This notice sets out how UKGI will use your personal data for the purpose of this recruitment campaign and explains your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation. UKGI is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses personal data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

1. Data Subject categories

As part of any recruitment process conducted on behalf of any Government Department or any Arm’s Length Body (ALB) of any Government Department, UK Government Investments Ltd (UKGI) collects and processes personal data relating to individuals who apply for public appointments.

 

2. What categories of information does UKGI collect?

UKGI collects a range of information about you. This may include:

• your name, address and contact details, including email address and telephone number;
• date of birth;
• references;
• details of your qualifications, skills, experience and employment history;
• information about your current level of remuneration, including benefit entitlements;
• whether or not you have a disability for which UKGI needs to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process (where applicable);
• information about your entitlement to work in the UK (where necessary);
• equal opportunities monitoring information, including information about your ethnic origin, sexual orientation, health and religion or belief and socio-economic data; and
• results from due diligence searches (including checks on social media and personal websites, potential conflicts of interests, media statements, political activities as well as checks to see if the individual appears on the disqualified director, bankruptcy and insolvency, removed trustees or financial services register) 

This list of data categories is not exhaustive and may vary depending on the appointment you are applying for.

UKGI collects this information in a variety of ways. For example, data might be contained in application forms and letters, CVs or resumes, obtained from your passport or other identity documents or those that give proof of address, or collected through interviews or other forms of assessment which may include online tests.

Data will be stored in a range of different places, including on your application record, in HR management systems and on other IT systems (including email).

 

3. Why does UKGI process personal data and what is the legal basis for doing so?

UKGI may work with suitably selected partners to carry out certain activities for this application process. Where it is necessary to use third parties to do this, these third parties should contact you separately with regard to the way in which they will process your personal data for the purpose of the recruitment process.

These activities include, but are not limited to:

• processing your application;
• advising candidates of the outcome of their application;
• arranging interviews for successful candidates; and
• equality and diversity monitoring.

If your application is unsuccessful, UKGI will keep your personal data on file for 24 months to allow it to provide feedback on request and to defend itself against any legal challenge, as well as to allow it to evidence its fulfilment of its obligations to the relevant instructing Minister/Department.

UKGI may also keep your personal data on file in case there are future roles for which you may be suited. UKGI will ask for your consent before it keeps your data for this purpose, and you are free to withdraw your consent at any time.

 

4. Recipients of Personal Data

Personal data of applicants will only be made available to those in the appointments process and to the organisations listed below.

The organisations with whom this information will be shared will vary depending on the position being applied for. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments
• Cabinet Office
• relevant appointing Arm’s Length Body and/or Sponsor Department
• HM Treasury
• Office of the Prime Minister

The legal bases for the sharing of this personal data with these relevant organisations are the same as those set out in section (3) above.

 

5. Protection of Personal Data

UKGI takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or disclosed, and that it is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

 

6. Retention of Personal Data

If your application is unsuccessful, UKGI will keep your personal data on file for 24 months to allow it to provide feedback on request and to defend itself against any legal challenge, as well as to allow it to evidence its fulfilment of its obligations to the relevant instructing Minister/Department. At the end of that period, your data will be deleted or destroyed. A small amount of basic information on the recruitment (candidate name, position applied for, year of application, outcome) will be retained for such time as is required to allow UKGI to properly provide full and comprehensive information to Ministers in respect of ministerial appointments or for [9] years, whichever is shorter.

If your application is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be shared with the relevant ALB which will retain this information during your appointment. The periods for which your data will be held will be notified to you by the ALB in a new privacy notice. UKGI will also retain this information for the period of your appointment.  

 

7. Your data protection rights

You have the right to request:

• information about how your personal data is processed and to request a copy of that personal data;
• that any inaccuracies in your personal data are rectified without delay; and
• that your personal data is erased if there is no longer a justification for it to be processed.

You also have the right:

• in certain circumstances (for example, where accuracy is contested) to request that the processing of your personal data is restricted; and
• to object to the processing of your personal data where it is processed for directing marketing purposes.

 

8. To submit a Data Subject Access Request

To request access to personal data that UKGI holds about you, contact the UKGI Data Protection Officer:

Email: Privacy@ukgi.org.uk

 

If you still consider that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

0303 123 1113

 

Any complaint to the Information Commissioner is without prejudice to your rights to seek redress in the courts.

Contact details

kirsten.hasseriis@gatenbysanderson.com