Appointment details

Security Industry Authority Member- Chair of Audit and Risk Committee

Summary

• Organisation: Security Industry Authority
• Sponsor department: Home Office
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Audit and Risk
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 32 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £10,000 per annum
• Length of term: Three years
• Application deadline: 11pm on 14 July 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 June 2025

2. Application deadline

   11pm on 14 July 2025

3. Sifting date

   21 July 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   11 August 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Chair

Thank you for considering the role of Non-Executive Director, with specific responsibility for Chairing the Audit and Risk Assurance committee (ARAC) with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). This is a great opportunity to join a well-regarded and forward-thinking Board which offers a constructive and supportive working environment.

The SIA is a high performing and effective UK wide regulator with a strong track record of delivering change and raising standards for both individuals and ACS companies working in the private security industry.  The SIA will additionally become the UK regulator for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act - Martyn’s Law, following a two-year period of preparation and implementation.

I am now looking for a high calibre individual who brings professional skills and experience of managing risk in a public sector context, has a financial qualification and the ability to operate strategically, preferably in a high-profile public-sector setting, to join the Board to contribute to the next stage of our development as a regulator. 

Our Board comprises our Chief Executive and her Executive Director team together with six Non-Executive Directors and myself as Chair. The departure of one of our current Non- Executive Directors shortly creates a vacancy and the opportunity to augment our team with someone with new skills that will be required on the Board in the coming years.  We are currently in the final year of our existing corporate strategy and later this year, we will develop a new and refreshed corporate strategy that will take account of our new expanded regulatory role for Martyn’s Law.    Our new corporate strategy will continue to take account of the need to improve standards across the private security industry, both in terms of individual licensing and our role in raising standards across businesses.

Our key mission is to improve public safety through our regulatory approach.  Our work includes contributing towards the government priority of reducing violence against women and girls as well as supporting the aim to make the UK safer from acts of terrorism.   Our new role under Martyn’s Law, brings additional responsibility for advice and guidance to event organisers and premises captured by the new legislation to ensure that they proactively consider and implement security measures against terrorism.

The essential criteria for this postholder are very specific and bespoke to this particular Non-Executive Director role.  Those unable to provide clear evidence of the essential criteria will not be shortlisted and applicants are encouraged to reach out and have a discussion with me, if that would be helpful before applying for the role. 

A priority for the Board is to support the Chief executive in building a diverse and inclusive culture throughout our organization and to encourage the private security industry in its efforts to do the same. In support of this, I am particularly keen to hear from colleagues from diverse backgrounds which are traditionally less well represented at Board level, including those from all ethnic backgrounds and those from the LGBTQ+ community. As a UK wide regulator, I am also keen to encourage those who live and work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with the appropriate skills, to apply.

These are challenging and exciting times for the SIA and if you have the skills and experience, we are now seeking, I look forward to hearing from you.

Heather Baily QPM

Chair, Security Industry Authority

Appointment description

Job Title:         Security Industry Authority Member (Non-Executive Directors)

Roles Available: One

Remuneration:        £10,000 per annum, based on a minimum time commitment of 24 days per annum, up to 32 days.           

Appointment:    A term of three years

Location:          Non-Executive Directors are required to attend Board and strategy meetings in person at SIA Headquarters in London and on occasions other parts of the UK. Committee meetings are a mix of in-person and online meetings.

Reporting to:          Home Secretary, through the SIA Chair

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the Chair and other Authority Members in setting the strategic direction of the SIA, and ensuring the Authority discharges its statutory duties in line with the requirements          of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, overseeing the timely production of realistic and costed business plans.

• To ensure that the SIA develops an effective regulatory framework that supports the introduction and continued oversight of Martyn’s Law once the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act is enacted into legislation. To support the planning and oversight process as the new regulatory function is developed. 

• Provide constructive oversight and challenge to Senior Executive Team, supporting the delivery of the annual business plan, effective financial and risk management and the monitoring of corporate performance. 

• In reaching Authority decisions, to take proper account of guidance provided by the responsible Minister or Home Office, and devolved administrations.

• Chair and/or participate in Board Committees and, as appropriate, working groups.

• Oversee the work of the Chief Executive in managing the organisation and its strategic delivery plans.

• Contribute to stakeholder events and be an effective ambassador for the SIA. 

• Adhere to the code of practice for Members of executive NDPBs.

• Act in the public interest in accordance with the Seven Principles of Public Life - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life.

Organisation description

About the Security Industry Authority

The SIA is the UK regulator responsible for overseeing and licensing the private security industry. It is an independent body reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Its purpose is to protect the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector. Its remit covers the United Kingdom. It is an arm’s length body (ALB) of the Home Office. Following Royal assent of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, the SIA is now preparing to fulfil the regulatory function for Martyn’s Law, new arrangements which will come into effect in 2027 and will improve protective security and organizational preparedness in premises across the UK. This will require premises and event organizers to have clear plans to respond to a terrorist attack.

Role and Background

In relation to the private security industry, the SIA has two main duties. One is the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry; the other is to manage the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria. SIA licensing covers security guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV, key holding and (in Northern Ireland) vehicle immobilisation. Licensing ensures that private security operatives are fit and proper persons who have appropriate entry training and are qualified to do their job.

The SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) sets out operational and performance standards for suppliers of private security services. Businesses that meet these standards are awarded Approved Contractor status. This accreditation provides purchasers of private security services with independent proof of a contractor’s commitment to quality. Following the Manchester Arena Inquiry Report, the SIA is now developing a new Business Approval Scheme which will replace ACS in time.

The SIA also has an important role in contributing towards improved public safety outcomes in the wide range of environments where the private security industry operates. Together with key stakeholders, SIA contributes to the national government aims to reduce crime, violence and disorder and the fear of crime.  The new regulatory function for Martyn’s Law augments the SIAs role in preventing acts of terrorism and ensuring that premises and events have a clear plan to respond if an act of terrorism does occur.

The SIA has a unitary Board comprising the Chief Executive and Executive Directors,  together with the Chair and Non-Executive Directors.  The SIA Non-Executive Directors currently are:

•      Heather Baily QPM – Chair

•      Caroline Corby

•      Duncan Worsell

•      Hannah Wadey

•      Steve Grainger

•      Simon James*                                            *term ends July 2025

•      Paul Glibbery

Further Reading

For detailed information on the SIA, the role of its Board and its activies, please refer to the SIA website: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. This includes the SIA's latest Annual Report and Accounts, its governance arrangements and its Corporate Plan. 

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

·         Successful track record of achievement at Board-level or equivalent, with the ability to effectively contribute to a Board environment, operating strategically, providing robust and reasoned challenge, as well as support.

·         Sound judgement and experience of working at a strategic level in a public sector setting with the ability to consider complex and conflicting arguments and provide a balanced and informed perspective.  Experience of working and delivering on government priorities.

·         Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive, productive relationships internally and externally, able to work collegiately and to listen sensitively to the views of others.

·         A professional accounting qualification, CCAB or equivalent with accompanying experience of public sector finance regulations, including experience in preparing or assuring complex annual accounts, so as to be able to Chair the Audit and Risk committee.

·         In – depth knowledge of risk management frameworks, internal controls, evaluating risk mitigation strategies which are aligned to the Board’s risk appetite.

·         Evidence of a good understanding of the wider issues relating to the current public safety   challenges, particularly in relation to reducing violence against women and girls and counter terrorism.

Desirable criteria

·         An understanding of how the private security industry operates across the UK and the contribution it makes to improving public safety.

·         An understanding of how effective regulation contributes to improved outcomes for the public, and to Government priorities.

·         An understanding of the Scottish or Northern Ireland criminal justice system, public sector or regional government arrangements.

·         Experience of or an understanding of joint working between stakeholders such as police and local authorities to improve public safety at events such as music festivals, sporting fixtures and other large scale public gatherings where SIA license holders operate.

Application and selection process

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 23.00 on Monday 14 July 2025

Please submit the following 2 documents, clearly labelled. In order to apply, you will need to click on one of the links below, depending on if you have already set up an account on the Cabinet Office Public Appointment website.

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/create-account

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/auth/sign-in

Please read the  Candidate Pack before applying for full details of the role. 

• A concise CV (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications.

• A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 font) giving evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for the role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the experience, qualities and skill areas identified in the person specification.

Please submit your application documents as 2 separate attachments and note that short-listed candidates will also be required to complete and return a separate form in relation to referees and nationality information.

Please note the following:

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date.

• Applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided. Please refer to the advert and checklist to ensure you have provided the necessary documentation.

• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.

• Feedback will only be given to unsuccessful candidates following interview.

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.

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 be chaired by Heather Baily (SIA Chair) and consist of Frances King (Deputy Director of Homeland Security Group, Home Office), Mark Goodfellow (Director of Safer Communities, Department of Justice, Northern Ireland) and Hilary Emery CBE (Honorary Norham Fellow, Department of Education, University of Oxford) as the Independent Panel Member.

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)

Security clearance

The successful candidates will be required to have or be willing to obtain security clearance to Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) level. Pre-appointment checks will also be undertaken on immigration and criminal convictions. It usually takes between 4-5 weeks to obtain the security clearance. The role will be offered on a conditional basis until the successful candidate has passed all checks. The successful candidate will be encouraged to take up this appointment as soon as possible, subject to the successful completion of all pre- appointment checks. 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. 

Members can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on SIA business at rates set by the SIA.

Applicants should note that the successful candidates cannot be remunerated for this role if they are being paid for an existing full-time role from the public purse.

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@homeoffice.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.

Contact details

If you have any queries about this role, please contact Niall Donnelly (Head of Safeguarding Sponsorship, Home Office) at Niall.Donnelly@homeoffice.gov.uk

If you have any queries about the recruitment process for this role, please contact Ayo Dosumu on email: Ayokunle.Dosumu@homeoffice.gov.uk

If you wish to arrange a short conversation with the SIA Chair  please contact Anca Comsa on email Anca.Comsa@sia.gov.uk

If helpful to you, there is guidance available on writing a supporting statement on the public appointments webpages: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-appointments

Attachments

• Candidate Pack

• Home Office Privacy Notice