Appointment details

Money and Pensions Service - Non- Executive Director

Summary

• Organisation: Money and Pensions Service
• Sponsor department: Department for Work and Pensions
• Location: London
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Regulation, Consumer Advocacy
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 36 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £18,000 per annum
• Length of term: between 3 and 5 years
• Application deadline: 5pm on 9 April 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   12 March 2025

2. Application deadline

   5pm on 9 April 2025

3. Sifting date

   14 April 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   2 June 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Money and Pensions Service’s (MaPS) mission is to help people – particularly those most in need – to improve their financial wellbeing and build a better, more confident future. Working collaboratively across the UK, we make sure customers can access high-quality money and pensions guidance and debt advice throughout their lives, how and when they need it. 

MaPS is an arm’s-length body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). 

DWP is seeking one Non-Executive Director (NED) to support the Executives to deliver MaPS’ strategy and business plan. DWP is looking for candidates with direct experience of working with vulnerable customers or those most in need. Prior experience of being a Non-Executive Director is not essential.

Introduction from the Chair

Sara Weller, CBE, Chair of MaPS

Thank you your interest in joining the Board of MaPS. MaPS is a great organisation, working to secure a better financial future for people across the UK, particularly those most in need.

MaPS is respected by partners, and those who use our services show high levels of satisfaction. But we can be better, and must continuously improve the support we provide, as circumstances change.

For this appointment, we are looking for a new Board member who brings experience of working in organisations or roles that bring them close to the customers we serve, and who can help us ensure we hear our customers’ voice, and are responding to changes in their needs.

As a member of the MaPS Board, you will contribute your experience, expertise and customer understanding as MaPS embarks on delivering its 2025-2028 strategy. 

You don’t need to have been a Non-Executive Director on a Board before, as, if successful, we will give you the support you need to settle into the role. 

MaPS’ services are needed now more than ever, and we have stretching plans to help millions of people get the support they need to build a better financial future. 

If you believe you can help us make this happen, then please apply – I look forward to hearing from you.

Additional introductions

Peter Schofield, DWP Permanent Secretary

I want DWP and our arm’s-length bodies to be places where everyone, whatever their background, feels encouraged to achieve their potential. I believe attracting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, including regional diversity and the full range of socio- economic groups, will allow us to be better able to provide the best possible support to those we serve. 

DWP continues to support Cabinet Office in working towards 50% of all public appointees to be female and 14% of all public appointments to come from ethnic minority backgrounds. We value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone. 

If you are looking for an opportunity to use your talents to make a difference to the lives of millions of your fellow citizens, we look forward to hearing from you.

Organisation description

MaPS is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), funded by levies on both the financial services industry and pension schemes.

The work of MaPS covers five core functions, as set out in the Financial Guidance and Claims Act (2018). These are:

•Pensions Guidance – providing support and guidance to consumers on UK workplace and personal pension matters

•Debt Advice – the biggest funder of free information and advice on debt in England. We are driving up the quality of debt advice and providing training and support to advisers on the ground across the UK 

•Money Guidance – enhancing millions of people’s knowledge and understanding of financial matters – targeting those potentially vulnerable or most in need – as well as helping their day-to-day money management skills through free, impartial money guidance

•Consumer Protection – working with government and regulators to protect consumers against financial scams and support the efforts of the wider financial services industry 

•Strategy – we have been working to a UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing that was set in 2020 as a framework for how we will work with organisations in different sectors, across our nations, and to make a measurable difference to UK money management.

We also have a specific mandate from government to facilitate the pensions industry to develop pensions dashboards. This programme of work will allow individuals to access their pensions information online, securely and all in one place, supporting better planning for retirement.

We are currently preparing our next Corporate strategy which will run from Spring 2025 to Spring 2028.

•The MaPS Board supports the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as Accounting Officer in agreeing the MaPS corporate strategy and one-year corporate plan and funding plan, which is then agreed with Ministers via DWP.

•The Board establishes a clear control framework to support the effective management of performance against external risk and delivery standards, supported by delegations of authority, clear business processes, policies and procedures.

•The MaPS Board has undergone a substantial refresh in the past two years, with a new Chair (March 2023), a new CEO (February 2024), and a substantially new team of Executive and Non-Executive Directors, appointed in 2022-2024.

•Additionally, MaPS completed a significant move of location, from London to Bedford, to new offices, fully designed to meet the needs of hybrid working.

•Joining MaPS now offers an opportunity to be involved from the beginning as we craft our strategic plans for 2025-2028. An immediate and critical task will be to support the new executive team in successfully executing this year’s plan, a key milestone in our journey.

•In line with the vision of the new government, the role provides the opportunity to focus on financial inclusion, with a drive to ensure financial products and services are accessible and affordable, helping to shield individuals from financial hardship. 

•MaPS is responsible for delivering the UK’s Pensions Dashboard Programme for October 2026. This brings together 000s of Pension providers’ data, and will allow everyone to access information about all their pensions in one place. MaPS is also developing its own ‘front-end’ Dashboard to help people make better decisions about planning for financial security in later life.

•The organisation is also at an important phase in the debt commissioning process following a recent consultation on MaPS approach to debt advice up to 2028. The consultation response will be published later this year which will outline the organisation’s remit in relation to debt advice, and its role in working with the wider debt sector on key issues and challenges. 

•Additionally, the organisation is undergoing a significant review of our Guidance Services, which will include the implementation of a new delivery model for MaPS Money and Pensions Guidance Services. 

This is an extraordinary time to become a part of MaPS, as we embark on these transformative initiatives, and we welcome applications from anyone who believes they can make a substantial contribution to helping people, particularly those most in need, to make the most of their money and pensions. 

The Board currently consists of the Chair, six Non-Executive Directors and three Executive Directors [CEO, CFO and Customer Delivery Executive Director]. The Board has 4 other standing Committees chaired by Non-Executives: Audit, Risk and Assurance; Remuneration & People and Nominations. 

The Board currently meets 7 times a year, usually in person, primarily in the Bedford main office and occasionally at other offsite locations. Attendance at Board meetings may involve a Board dinner before the Board, and an overnight stay. The Board may also convene, between its meetings, for training, business briefings or to handle other Board business which is usually online via Teams. 

Board members may be involved in visiting MaPS operations in our partner Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, visiting outsource providers across the country or join our regional managers on visits across England to meet with regional stakeholders. 

As a Non-Executive Director at MaPS, you will:

•share responsibility as part of the Board to oversee the effective and efficient delivery of the organisation’s strategy and business plan;

•use your expertise to engage directly with the Chief Executive, Executive Directors, and other staff as required, to assist in the delivery of the organisation’s strategic objectives;

•where appropriate, represent MaPS externally, and help it build relationships with key stakeholders;

•ensure MaPS adheres to its legal, regulatory, and statutory obligations. Including adherence to the principles of managing public money;

•promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the treatment of colleagues, partners and customers; and

•demonstrate a commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life (Annex1).

Non-Executive Directors will each participate in Board sub-committees. Current Board sub-committees are: 

•Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee

•Nominations Committee 

•Remuneration and People Committee

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 candidates with the skills and abilities to complement the existing Board members and build an inclusive, cohesive, and well-balanced Board.

There is an expectation that Non-Executive Directors will assume other responsibilities during their tenure such as Committee Chair, Senior Independent Director, and other duties as appropriate.

All successful candidates will need to demonstrate evidence against the following core essential criteria:

•Ability to effectively contribute at Board level, think strategically, analyse complex issues, and provide robust and reasoned challenge;

•Ability to deal with disparate views and agendas, build positive relationships and communicate clearly and effectively to a wide range of audiences to gain engagement and buy-in;

•Being pro-active and results orientated, including energy, drive and resilience and a focus on performance against targets and operation delivery;

•Commitment to furthering equality, diversity, and inclusion within the organisation. As such, the organisation are open to candidates who will be applying for their first non-executive director role and will provide the opportunity for skills development and support; and

•Demonstrable experience and ability of working in large scale role(s) in not-for-profit sectors with vulnerable customers or those most in need.

Desirable criteria

•Knowledge, or a willingness to develop knowledge, of the environment within which the public sector operates including a good understanding of parliament and what it means to be an arm’s length body of a central government department; 

•Experience of delivering good outcomes for consumers within geographic areas of deprivation; and

•An understanding of the needs of consumers, particularly those with vulnerabilities, and ways to successfully effect behavioural change.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

Please ensure that you clearly state your full name at the top of your CV and supporting statement.

Any information provided beyond the first two sides for each of the CV and supporting statement will be disregarded.

1. A  Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max, In Word format not PDF) which provides your contact details, details of your education and qualifications, employment history, directorships, membership of professional bodies and details of any relevant publications or awards;

2. A supporting statement (2 pages max, In Word format not PDF) setting out how you meet the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role;

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);

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate. You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application. 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. 

ID verification: 

Candidates invited to interview will be required to provide identification, such as a valid passport or a photocard driving licence. 

Due Diligence checks: 

 Please note that due diligence checks will be carried out on all candidates shortlisted for interview. The result of the checks will be shared with the panel and with ministers who make the final decision following the results of the interview. The search will include: 

•Google search – publicly available information

•Social Media search – Twitter, Facebook 

•Individual insolvency search 

•Removed trustee register search 

•Financial Services Prohibited Individuals Register •Disqualified Director Register 

•Personal Information Form declarations 

•References 

The closing date for applications is: 09/04/2025 at 17:00 

 Late applications will not be accepted.

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)

The panel will consist of four members: 

Panel Chair – Simon Boniwell, DWP Chair

Panel Member – Sara Weller, MaPS Chair 

Independent Panel Member – Mark Addison

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

Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK) to be eligible to apply, and the role is based in the UK.

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 DWP ALB Public Appointments team at alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk

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.

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 ‘essential 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

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.

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 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 ten years in any one post. 

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

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 ALB public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk  They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

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

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The Department’s data protection privacy notice and relevant policies are available on the Department’s Personal 

Information Charter: Personal information charter - Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Contact details

Please Contact the DWP ALB Public Appointments Team at

alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk

Attachments

• Candidate Pack