Appointment details

Non - Executive Board Member and Audit and Risk Committee Chair - HM Treasury Departmental Board

Summary

• Organisation: HM Treasury Departmental Board
• Sponsor department: HM Treasury
• Location: London
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 24 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £22,500 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: Midday on 8 May 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   27 March 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 8 May 2025

3. Sifting date

   23 May 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   12 June 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Additional introductions

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Non-Executive Board Member and Audit and Risk Committee Chair at HM Treasury. 

The Treasury is the government’s economic and finance ministry, maintaining control over public spending, setting the direction of the UK’s economic policy, and working to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth.

We are focused on sustainably increasing economic growth, living standards and access to high-quality jobs. We support the provision of high-quality public services and investment through effective management of the public finances and overseeing sustainable taxes and borrowing. 

We are looking for an experienced individual to provide advice, and scrutiny as well as contribute effectively to discussions on the leadership and performance of the organisation. We are seeking someone who can bring an external perspective to the business of government. 

The Treasury celebrates diversity in all our work and promotes equality of opportunity. We welcome new ideas and challenges. We are actively searching for a diverse range of candidates and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

I wish you the very best of luck with your application. 

James Bowler

Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury 

Appointment description

Please note that this is not the only opportunity open at HM Treasury, we are also recruiting for a Lead Non-Executive Board Member and Non-Executive Board Member. If you would like to be considered for multiple opportunities, you will need to submit separate applications.

Non-Executive Board Members provide advice and bring an external perspective to the business of government. They give advice and support on the operational implications and effectiveness of policy proposals, focussing on getting policy translated into results.  Policy will be decided by ministers alone, with advice from officials.

The Board is responsible for ensuring that the Department fulfils the specific aims and objectives set out by the Permanent Secretary. The successful candidate will have experience in financial scrutiny, Risk management, Delivering change and Talent management.

As the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee you will:

• Chair circa four to five Audit and Risk Committee meetings a year
• Establish procedures to govern the Committee’s work to ensure full discharge of its duties
• Provide advice, support and challenge on the Department’s performance and risk management. The Board does not decide policy or exercise the powers of Treasury Ministers
• Advise on the operational implications and effectiveness of policy proposals and reflect on strategic plans
• Leading the assessment of the Governance Statement on behalf of the Board which is included in the Annual Report
• Offer an independent view, contributing fully to Board discussions and decision making and ensuring decisions are balanced and objective
• Supporting the Board and Principal Accounting Officer by reviewing and formally recommending the signing of the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 

Non-Executive Directors:

• Sit on the Departmental Board, chaired by the Chancellor
• Sit on the Treasury Board Sub-Committee
• Advise on performance and transformation, operational issues, and the effective management of the Department
• Provide independent scrutiny for the Department upon request
• Advise on cross-government initiatives and policies
• Work with executives and their offices to continue to improve the performance of the Department
• Are part of a wider network of government Non-Executive Directors overseen by the Government Lead Non-Executive

Organisation description

Our work

HM Treasury (HMT) is responsible for public spending, including departmental spending, public sector pay and pensions, annually managed expenditure (AME), welfare policy, and capital investment. The department is also responsible for financial services policy, including banking and financial services regulation, financial stability, and ensuring competitiveness in the City.  HMT has strategic oversight of the UK tax system, including direct, indirect, business, property, personal tax, and corporation tax. And the delivery of infrastructure projects across the public sector and facilitating private sector investment into UK infrastructure. The department also ensures the economy is growing sustainably.

Non-Executive Board Members

Our Non-Executive Board Members are appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Non-Executive Board Members serve for an initial term of three years, with the opportunity of reappointment for a second term of three years.

Non-Executive Board Member appointments are regulated by the Office for Commissioner for Public Appointments (OPCA). 

We are committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. Taking equality considerations into account in our work is an important and integral part of our approach as both an employer and a policymaker.

We promote equality of opportunity in employment to ensure our workforce is representative of the community it serves and that we attract and retain talented employees. 

Information on the diversity of the Treasury’s employees is also published in the Treasury’s Annual Report and Accounts.

Audit and Risk Committee

The Treasury’s Audit and Risk Committee supports the Accounting Officer in ensuring the Department has a control framework in place that is fit for purpose and allows it to deliver its objectives and manage risks effectively.

The Audit and Risk Committee provides advice to the Treasury Board, the Permanent Secretary and the Treasury’s Additional Accounting Officers to discharge effectively their duties and responsibilities relating to managing risk, internal control and governance and considers the integrity of the financial statements in relation to:

• Treasury Group
• National Loans Fund
• Contingencies Fund 
• Exchange Equalisation Account
• Consolidated Fund
• Whole of Government Accounts

The Committee provides independent, objective, and constructive challenge and reviews the comprehensiveness of assurances in meeting the Board and Accounting Officer’s assurance needs. The Committee reviews the reliability and integrity of these assurances. 

The Committee will consider the risk and control framework around the management of, and achievement of the Treasury’s objectives. The Committee will review risk around the organisation, including the Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) and provide assurance as necessary. This specifically does not include engagement in policy, which lies outside the responsibilities of non-executives, but may consider the extent to which the relevant and material factors are being assessed and resourced. 

Board composition

The Treasury Board is chaired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in their role as lead minister in the Department. 

The Board is made up of all Treasury Ministers, Non-Executive Board Members and some Executive Board Members (the Permanent Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer; the Second Permanent Secretaries, the Group Finance Director and the Head of the Government Finance Function).

The Board considers the long-term strategy for the Department and draws together ministerial and civil service leaders with experts from outside government to form a collective strategic and operational leadership group. 

The Board draws on the experience of attendees to provide advice, support and challenge on the Department’s performance and risk management, and progress against delivery of its objectives and priorities. The Board does not decide policy or exercise the powers of Treasury ministers; it does however advise on the operational implications and effectiveness of policy proposals and reflect on strategic plans. We currently have a diverse departmental board. 

The Board Members are: 

Ministers 

The Chancellor of the Exchequer - The Rt. Hon Rachel Reeves MP 

Chief Secretary to the Treasury - The Rt. Hon Darren Jones MP 

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister - Emma Reynolds MP

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury - James Murray MP

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury - The Lord Livermore 

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury - Emma Reynolds MP

Minister of State - Baroness Gustafsson 

Officials

Permanent Secretary - James Bowler CB

Second Permanent Secretary - Beth Russell

Chief Economic Advisor, Head of the GES and Second Permanent Secretary - Sam Beckett

Finance Director - Sarah Whitehead

Non Executive Board Members

Lead Non Executive Board Member - Vacant

Non Executive Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) - Zarin Patel 

Non Executive Board Member and ARC attendee - Edward Braham 

Non Executive Board Member and ARC attendee - Jane Hanson CBE

For further information about the Treasury Board and its membership please visit the HM Treasury website. 

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

• Leadership: the ability to set strategic visions and drive forward priorities of the organisation. A strong track record in relevant senior leadership roles. 
• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the organisation and the context within which it operates. 
• Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant/risk, performance, and financial management policy issues within the private, public, or voluntary sectors, and able to ensure effective governance and risk management frameworks are in place. 
• CCAB Qualification or equivalent
• Relationship building: ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders. 
• Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.
• Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives. 
• Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of leading major projects from initiation, through development and to delivery, using sound evidence to inform decisions.
• Genuine interest in contributing to the effective running of the Department, at the Board, elsewhere in the Department and (as appropriate) across Government.

Application and selection process

How to apply

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

Please note that this is not the only opportunity open at HM Treasury, we are also recruiting for a Lead Non-Executive Board Member and Non-Executive Board Member. If you would like to be considered for multiple opportunities, you will need to submit separate applications.

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:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

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.

Please note that this is not the only opportunity open at HM Treasury, we are also recruiting for two Non-Executive Board Members, one of whom will also be Chair of our Audit and Risk Committee. If you are interested in being considered for either of these roles, please ensure you submit a separate application for each

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)

James Bowler, Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury and Panel Chair

Beth Russell, Second Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury and Head of Darlington Economic Campus

Independent Panel Member – Lord Gus O’Donnell GCB

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

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 publicappointments-hmt@hmtreasury.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 public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at publicappointments-hmt@hmtreasury.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.

The HMT privacy notice is attached to this advert.

Contact details

Please contact the HM Treasury’s Public Appointments Officer who will be able to advise further by emailing PublicAppointments-HMT@hmtreasury.gov.uk.

Attachments

• Candidate Pack for NEBM and ARC Chair

• HMT Privacy Notice