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Role details

HM Land Registry - Non Executive Board Members

Application deadline 10 April 2024

Summary

• Organisation: HM Land Registry
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Location: London
• Sectors: Business and Trade
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Business, Commercial, Technology / Digital, Regulation, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 4
• Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £20000
• Length of term: 3 or 4 Years
• Application deadline: Midday on 10 April 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   15 February 2024

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 10 April 2024

3. Sifting date

   24 April 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   7 June 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

HMLR is a non-ministerial department and a partner body of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). UK Government Investments (UKGI) act as an agent of DLUHC, carrying out aspects of the sponsor role and representing the government’s interest in the governance and performance of HMLR as an organisation. A UKGI employee also sits on the HMLR Board as the nominated non-executive representative of the Secretary of State. Please find further details here. 

For more than 160 years HMLR has played a key role in the UK’s economic stability and growth. A secure registration system has the benefit of trust, which enables confident investment decisions for all. We provide essential guarantees for our citizens’ greatest assets, the cornerstone of a vibrant lending market that provides opportunities in all regions of this country.

Land is our nation’s greatest asset and the physical foundation of our lives. The value of land in England and Wales is estimated at around £8 trillion – more than half the wealth of the nation. In the 2022-23 financial year alone, £260 billion worth of property transactions took place in the UK, and HMLR is at the heart of the conveyancing process.

The property market supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in construction, financial services and legal services, which are spread throughout all regions of the country. HMLR provides statutory and non-statutory services available either through third-party, professional customers or directly to citizens and businesses. These services span the many stages of property ownership, from looking to buy or sell a property, to the entirety of the conveyancing process, to guaranteeing property ownership.

The HMLR Board currently consists of the Non-Executive Chair, five independent Non-Executive Board Members, one Sponsorship Representative Non-Executive Board Member, the CEO and Chief Land Registrar, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Strategy. Details of the current Board members can be found here.

Role description

HMLR is seeking up to four outstanding Non-Executive Board Members (NEBMs) to join the Board in 2024 to support the delivery of HMLR’s objectives.  The final board will comprise the Chair, up to six independent NEBMs, one NEBM appointed by DLUHC as sponsor representative, and three executive directors.  Appointees will be asked to serve on HMLR board sub-committees with possible succession to Chairs of these committees, which currently comprise the Audit and Risk Committee, the Remuneration and Nominations Committee, and the Change Committee.  Following the appointment of the new NEBMs, the Chair will nominate a new Senior Independent Board Member (SIBM). 

Please click here and refer to the candidate pack attached for further details.

HMLR intends to promote diversity and inclusion through its refreshed Board to ensure it can bring varied insights and experiences and reflect the changing needs of HMLR and the external environment. 

The purpose of the HMLR Board is to support, constructively challenge and provide guidance to the Senior Executive Team, to supervise the development and delivery of the agreed business strategy and to ensure appropriate governance of the activities of HM Land Registry.   Day-to-day management of the business is the responsibility of the Senior Executive Team. As an Independent NEBM on an advisory Board, you are expected to contribute to the work of HMLR in the following areas:

• Constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy and business planning, including the setting and development of key objectives and targets.
• Provide independent support, guidance and challenge on the progress and implementation of the business plan.
• Scrutinise the performance of the organisation in meeting agreed goals and objectives, and monitor the reporting of performance, including financial targets.
• Develop and encourage appropriate behaviours and organisational culture to maintain or improve the departmental people strategy, including ethical and directional issues such as diversity and senior jobholder moves.
• Satisfy that governance, internal control and risk management systems are effective and capable of delivering relevant, accurate and timely management and financial information to the Board.
• Support the Board in developing skills and tools to help it engage with strategic issues.
• Connect the Board to people and organisations who can provide different perspectives, opinions and expertise which will assist in furthering the organisation.
• Provide challenge and guidance on HMLR’s operations and services through experience and knowledge of the property market.
• Contribute to the maintenance of an effective Board together with appropriate corporate governance in line with best practice. 
• Act as a source of advice and support to the Executive Management Team.

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

We are seeking to appoint up-to four Non-Executive Board Members who will provide functional expertise on Finance, Property, Technology and Land Transparency. Therefore, it is essential you can demonstrate one or more of the following;

•  Relevant property experience gained either in the property industry in senior leadership roles, with relevant industry connections e.g with SMEs in the housing market, or senior leadership experience in conveyancing, with a deep understanding of the different legal structures operated in the property market, including trusts.
• Championing transparency ideally in the land space with expertise in data governance, data privacy and data security principles with experience of managing and implementing open data initiatives and enhancing data accessibility with the ability to act as a Board level advocate for open data initiatives.
•  Leading complex digital transformation to support improved services to customers as a Non-Executive Director or Executive.
• Relevant professional experience to be able to chair the Audit and Risk committee with;

-  Qualifications as an accountant with a proven track record in strategic financial planning and financial management advising at Board level.

-  An ability to develop strategy at a senior level across all areas of a business, challenge assumptions and decision-making as appropriate and provide financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.

Additionally, it is essential you demonstrate the following;

• Clear and effective influencing and communication skills, including an ability to operate effectively at board level and deliver propositions in a simple, straightforward way and solutions which are easy to understand.
• Experience of working closely with or sitting on Boards, ideally gained within a large, complex organisation with the proven ability to challenge and support Executive, in equal measure, as well as mentor when needed.

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of the public sector, and decision-making in a public sector context.
• Experience of delivering major programmes as a Non-Executive Director or senior executive with a demonstrated record of challenging orthodox thinking and accelerating plans.
• Experience in commercial property financing and investment.
• Understanding of the property tech market and appreciation of the impact of digital transformation on the property sector.
• An understanding of the developments in the Artificial Intelligence space and its application to the property sector.
• Experience of designing, delivering and assuring complex digital programmes in public/private sector environment.
• An understanding of big data infrastructure design and security, geospatial data and mapping and open standards.
• Noting the number of appointments, the panel and Ministers will seek to appoint a well-rounded board that reflects society. Applicants are encouraged to share unique perspectives that can bring varied insights and experiences, and which will be best suited to reflect the changing needs of HMLR and the external environment.
• Prior experience as a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Member or as a CFO in a large, complex organisation

Application and selection process

How to apply

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

c. Which of the four elements of functional expertise (finance, property, land transparency, technology) you would like to be assessed against. More than one area of functional expertise can be selected if you feel your skill sets are cross functional.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please ensure that both documents contain your full name. In addition, to be considered for the role, you must complete a Diversity Monitoring Form and a Declaration of Conflicts of Interest/ Political Activity form. You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process from GatenbySanderson.

Please find further details using the following link. 

Should you encounter any issues with your online application or are unable to apply online please contact mary.dempsey@gatenbysanderson.com  

Overview of the application process

This competition is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) is the independent regulator of public appointments. This appointment follows a recruitment process regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and is based on a written application, followed by interviews (if candidates are successful at sift stage).

Those interested in these appointments are asked to submit a CV and Supporting Statement before the closing date. Approximately one-two weeks after the competition closes, the panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the roles by considering the evidence you have provided against the ‘Essential’ criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any of these essential criteria may affect your application. Please also confirm in your statement of suitability which of the four elements of functional expertise (finance, property, land transparency, technology) you would like to be assessed against. The panel will select a suitable Longlist for each of the four functional areas. More than one area of functional expertise can be selected if you feel your skill sets are cross functional.

Candidates selected for longlisting will be invited for a preliminary discussion with GatenbySanderson to further explore their skills and experience with reference to all the criteria in the person specification.

The Panel will then have a further meeting to review interview reports on these candidates alongside CVs and statements of suitability in order to select a Shortlist for each of the four functional areas. At this stage they may choose to take into account the desirable criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be advised on the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence. This could be in relation to any of the criteria set out in the vacancy description, key responsibilities and accountabilities and person specification.

The panel will identify which candidates are appointable before a final decision on who to appoint is made by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Prior to interview, you may have the opportunity for informal conversations with key personnel in order to improve your understanding of the organisation. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

The timeline, outlined later in this pack, indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Please note: Due Diligence searches will be undertaken on shortlisted candidates and References may be taken for all shortlisted candidates at any point in the process.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

• Jonathan Ingram (Panel Chair) - UKGI Executive Director & HMLR NEBM
• Neil Sachdev - HMLR Independent Chair and Non Executive Director 
• Charlotte Spencer / Caroline Crowther  - DLUHC Directors 
• Jane Hamilton (Independent Panel Member) - GPA Non Executive Director 

• Jonathan Ingram (Panel Chair) - UKGI Executive Director & HMLR NEBM
• Neil Sachdev - HMLR Independent Chair and Non Executive Director 
• Charlotte Spencer / Caroline Crowther  - DLUHC Directors 
• Jane Hamilton (Independent Panel Member) - GPA Non Executive Director 

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to obtain the relevant security clearance (SC level clearance for these roles).

Additional information for candidates

Disability confident

HM Land Registry (HMLR) is an accredited user of the Disability Confident symbol, which signifies organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled applicants. All Disability Confident Employers will offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum requirements for a job or role. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the declaration in the Diversity Monitoring Form provided. 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.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to support disabled job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and assessment process. Reasonable adjustments could include; allowing extra time during selection tests or ensuring that information is provided in an accessible format. If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact kirsten.hasseriis@gatenbysanderson.com at GatenbySanderson in the first instance.

For a confidential discussion please contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson:

• Russell Brandon, Research Lead, russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.com
• Rosemary Baylis-West, Principal Consultant, rosemary.baylis-west@gatenbysanderson.com

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

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.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Public Appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity, and objectivity, in relation to stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable, or political interest that might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important that those appointed as members of public bodies maintain the confidence of Parliament and the public.

If there are any issues in your personal or professional history that could, if you were appointed, be misconstrued, cause embarrassment, or cause public confidence in the appointment to be jeopardised, it is important that you bring them to the attention of the Panel and provide details of the issue(s) in your application. In considering whether you wish to declare any issues, you should also reflect on any public statements you have made, including through social media. The Panel may explore issues with you before they make a recommendation on the appointment.

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 recruitment advisors in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at . They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Russell Brandon, Research Lead, russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.comRosemary Baylis-West, Principal Consultant, rosemary.baylis-west@gatenbysanderson.com

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 notice under Appendix 2 (within candidate pack) 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.

Contact details

·       Russell Brandon, Research Lead, russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.com

· Rosemary Baylis-West, Principal Consultant, rosemary.baylis-west@gatenbysanderson.com

Attachments

• Candidate Pack - HMLR NEBMs