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Appointment details

Endorsement Board Members, UK Endorsement Board

Summary

• Organisation: UK Endorsement Board
• Sponsor department: Department for Business and Trade
• Location: London
• Sectors: Finance and Audit
• Skills: Accountancy, Business, Commercial
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £14,000 per annum
• Length of term: Fixed Term up to 3 years (with possible reappointment for a period of up to 3 years)
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 22 November 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   18 October 2023

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 22 November 2023

3. Sifting date

   14 December 2023

4. Interviews expected to end on

   25 January 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Dear candidate, 

Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of the UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board (UKEB).

You may already have some understanding of the important work of the UKEB and this pack will tell you more about the purpose and the nature of the role.

The UKEB influences, endorses and adopts new or amended international accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board for use by UK companies. It also consults publicly with stakeholders that have an interest in financial reporting in the UK so that it can develop and represent evidence-based UK views with the aim of acting as the UK voice on IFRS financial reporting.

The new members will have the opportunity to influence the UKEB’s vision and strategy. They will also play a key role in continuing to build the profile of the Board and the ongoing development of relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking to contribute to this important organisation, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups.

Kevin Hollinrake MP

Minister for Business and Trade

Appointment description

UK Endorsement Board members represent the best available combination of technical skills and background experience of relevant business and economic conditions to contribute to the development of high quality, global financial reporting standards.

We are seeking two additional Board members to complement the skillset of the existing Board either with experience as a preparer of accounts or with an accounting firm background.

· Preparer: Contributions from preparers are essential to ensuring that the Board develops a clear understanding of the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from the preparer perspective, including as part of its broader consideration of the UK public good. Their contribution is also important in supporting the Board in the setting of its strategic direction and thought leadership activity.

· Accounting Firm Background: Candidates should bring in-depth specialist accounting knowledge and experience in relation to IFRS. Their contribution is particularly important in supporting the Board’s assessment of complex technical accounting matters and their potential impact in respect of the UK public good.

Organisation description

The UKEB was established to serve the UK public interest, by contributing to the research and development of high-quality International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and their endorsement and adoption for use in the UK. The UKEB is committed to upholding the high quality of IFRS and building on the UK’s position as a leading financial centre, guided by the key principles of accountability, independence, transparency and thought leadership.

The UKEB was established in March 2021 and was delegated statutory powers by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in May 2021. Following the dissolution of BEIS in February 2023, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade now has oversight responsibility in respect of UKEB’s technical work. The Financial Reporting Council has oversight responsibility in respect of UKEB’s governance and due process procedures.

The UKEB is an independent decision-making body. It needs to be driven by a Board which is not only technically strong, but which is credible in accounting standard-setting circles globally and is able to engage effectively with the international accounting community through its Independent Board Members. This is particularly salient in a potentially uncertain economic environment, as is the ability to promote the UK’s views and interests in a global sphere with clarity, integrity and commitment.

The Board is responsible for: 

• influencing the development of IFRS. The UKEB will contribute to debates on all IASB projects, consult with UK stakeholders to obtain their views and highlight any concerns to the IASB at every stage of their project, including the development of its agenda and post-implementation reviews.

• following the process for the endorsement and adoption of IFRS specified in legislation. The UKEB will decide on whether to adopt IFRS for application by UK companies.

• providing thought-leadership. The UKEB will undertake research and contribute to the development of financial reporting internationally. It will also undertake to inform and educate UK and international stakeholders on developments in financial reporting.

• complying, at all times, with the UKEB’s four guiding principles of transparency, accountability, independence and thought leadership.

Board composition

The UK Endorsement Board currently comprises the following individuals: 

• Pauline Wallace, Executive Chair 

Corporates

• Mike Ashley, Non-Executive Member
• Phil Aspin, Non-Executive Member

Investors/Users

• Paul Lee, Non-Executive Member
• Liz Murrall, Non-Executive Member
• Edward Knapp, Non-Executive Member

Accounting Firms 

• Giles Mullins, Non-Executive Member
• Sandra Thompson, Non-Executive Member

Academics

• Amir Amel-Zadeh, Non-Executive Member
• Michael Wells, Non-Executive Member

Economist 

• Robin Cohen, Non-Executive Member

Other 

• Kathryn Cearns OBE, Non-Executive Member 
• Kathryn Coates, Non-Executive Member

The full list of members and their biographies is published at: 

https://www.endorsement-board.uk/about-us/ukeb-board

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Proven background and expertise in financial reporting and the ability to understand the procedures used by the IFRS Foundation to develop standards and the UK framework for their endorsement and adoption.
• Good communications skills and the ability to take part in constructive debate in a Board setting;
• The ability to analyse complex issues, identify salient issues and to offer up potential solutions for further debate; and
• One of the professional backgrounds listed below (ie preparer of accounts or accounting firm background).

Desirable criteria

Previous experience of operating at Board level, or equivalent. 

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to provide:

1.  A Curriculum Vitae which provides your contact details, and sets out your career history, dates you occupied these roles and includes details of any professional qualifications required for this role. This should be a maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 Arial black font;
2. A supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role. Please provide subheadings and separate paragraphs in relation to how you meet each individual criterion. All acronyms should be written in full when first used.This document should be maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 Arial black font;
3. Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues;
4. Diversity monitoring information. This allows us to see if there are any unfair barriers to becoming a public appointee and whether there are any changes that we could make to encourage a more diverse field to apply. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel;
5. Disability Confident – please state if you want to be considered for the disability confident scheme;
6. Reasonable adjustments - requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable);

Please provide the information at points 3-6 above on the relevant form, or as part of your supporting statement.

Please note the following:

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date.
• Applications will be assessed on the documentation you have provided in your CV and supporting statement online.
• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.

Completed applications should be submitted to boardrecruitment@endorsement-board.uk. 

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

This role is not regulated by the Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments.

The appointment will be made on merit following a fair and open competition process in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament. The final appointment will be made by the UKEB Chair with the approval of the Secretary of State.

The assessment process is conducted via shortlisting process against the criteria followed by an interview conducted by an Advisory Assessment Panel (chaired by the UKEB Chair). The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

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.

If invited for interview you will be asked questions 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.

We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages.

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 for a public or direct appointment, can be found on the Cabinet Office's guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP) for this campaign consists of following people:

•  Pauline Wallace (UKEB Chair)
•  Andrew Death (Deputy Director, Corporate Reporting and Audit, Department for Business and Trade)
•  Hannah Nixon (Financial Regulation Committee (FRC) Board Non-Executive Director)
• To be confirmed (Independent Panel Member) 

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. The appointment will be made by the UKEB Chair, with the approval of Ministers. 

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 boardrecruitment@endorsement-board.uk.

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. 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 will be collected by the UK Endorsement Board and the Department for Business and Trade. 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. 

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 these roles are office holder appointments, 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

These roles are office holder appointments and do 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

The UK Endorsement Board aims to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the UK Endorsement Board in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at complaints@endorsement-board.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and aim to fully respond within 6 weeks.

Data protection

For details about how the UK Endorsement Board processes personal data, please view its privacy notice. 

The Department for Business and Trade will also have access to your data. You can also view their departmental privacy notice. 

Contact details

boardrecruitment@endorsement-board.uk

Attachments

• Candidate Brief for position of Board Member on UK Endorsement Board

• Candidate Self Declaration Form (UKEB recruitment campaign)

• Disability Confident Form (UKEB recruitment campaign)

• Diversity Monitoring Form (UKEB recruitment campaign)