Introduction
The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission (SCEC) is looking to recruit a new member of the Electoral Commission, the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in all parts of the UK.
The Electoral Commission has ten Commissioners. This vacancy is for one of the six ordinary Commissioners who are recruited by open competition. (The four others are nominated by the political parties.)
This role is an opportunity to contribute personally to the future of democracy in the UK by helping to steer the Electoral Commission through a time of change.
Candidates must be experienced leaders of a comparably complex organisation, capable of acting with independence and authority in a complex environment. You must be a supportive team member, able to build consensus and deal with ambiguity. You must show complete integrity and must be politically independent, while having a strong understanding of the democratic context and the challenges ahead.
Candidates could be from a range of professional backgrounds but we are particularly hoping to attract people with understanding of digital technology and the challenges and opportunities it presents for the electoral and wider democratic process. Experience of leadership in the private sector, and as a regulator or in a regulated environment, are also desirable.
We are keen to increase the diversity of the Electoral Commission to reflect the UK-wide population that it serves and would therefore particularly welcome applications from candidates from groups currently under-represented on the Electoral Commission.
This is a part-time position, requiring approximately two to three days’ work a month, remunerated at a rate of £464 a day. Board members are expected to attend meetings of the Commission seven times a year and carry out other duties, as required. The appointment is expected to be for four years, from April 2026.
Those who have held certain elected offices or been significant party donors within the past five years are not eligible for this role.
The recruitment is being managed by an independent panel on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Commons and SCEC, with the assistance of the executive search company, GatenbySanderson. The panel will report a list of appointable candidates to the Speaker and the SCEC, who will consult with the leaders of the political parties. The recommended candidate will then be subject to approval by the House of Commons and to appointment by His Majesty the King.
Additional introductions
Message from the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP
Thank you for your interest in the role of Electoral Commissioner.
The importance of rigorous and independent oversight of our elections and referendums is greater than ever. The Electoral Commission has a vital part to play in maintaining public confidence in our democratic processes. The Electoral Commissioners will be critical in leading the organisation through the challenges and opportunities ahead, while building and maintaining trust.
The Commission is currently in the first year of an ambitious five-year plan that will oversee the delivery of an important cycle of polls and implementation of the forthcoming Elections Bill.
It will regulate the rules on political finance, in the context of increasingly complex campaigning techniques and growing public concerns. It will also continue to play a crucial role in coordinating, leading and informing debate to ensure the resilience of our democratic process.
As an Electoral Commissioner, you will help shape the organisation’s strategy for the years ahead. You will bring experience and understanding to ensure the Commission acts consistently and fairly, and promotes principles of equality, diversity and inclusion. Above all, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our electoral system is one we can all take pride in.
This is a unique opportunity to have a direct and personal impact upon the future of our democracy.
I hope that a diverse range of people with the right mix of experience, skills and ambition will apply to take on this important role. We look forward to hearing from you.
Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP
Appointment description
As a Commission Board member, you will be helping to:
- set the overall strategic direction of the Commission across the UK and ensure delivery of its strategic goals within the statutory framework and with the resources determined by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Parliaments to ensure public confidence in democracy;
- contribute to the Commission’s role as a UK-wide body, understanding the issues faced on a UK-wide level and effectively supporting the work of the devolved parliaments.
- set the Commission’s priorities and monitor its activity – including, for example, approving strategy and expenditure on promotion of public awareness of UK electoral arrangements, and the oversight of the publication of statutory election reports;
- consider key policy issues within the Commission’s remit – this may include for example matters relating to the regulatory framework for political parties and candidates, the conduct of elections and referendums; oversight of statutory schemes such as policy development grants to political parties; and review of the overall framework of performance standards for local authority electoral registration and returning officers;
- ensure efficient and effective use of public funds, that the Commission operates within the limits of its statutory authority to high standards of governance, and that it manages risk effectively;
- ensure that the Commission understands and responds to technological and societal change which will impact on the democratic process in the years ahead.
You may also be asked to:
- serve as a member on the Audit and Risk or Remuneration and Human Resources Committees and participate in informal groups from time to time; and
- perform other related roles or functions which the Commission asks you to discharge personally.
Organisation description
The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Scottish and Welsh parliaments.The Commission works to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:
- enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible;
- regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches of the law; and
- using our expertise to support and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency.
The Electoral Commission has an annual budget of £55.3m and employs around 230 staff. The largest Commission office is in London and there are also offices in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. In addition, many staff work remotely.
The Commission Board meets seven times each year to consider the full range of Commission business. Usually, three of these meetings are in London, one in either Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast one elsewhere in the UK, and two online.
As well as the four politically nominated Commissioners, three of the Commissioners have been recruited to bring specific expertise relevant to the Commission’s work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Commission also has an independent advisor on audit and risk.
The Commission has created two sub-committees on remuneration and human resources and on audit and risk.
Working across the UK
As a public body that works across all nations of the UK, the Commission aims to be flexible and proactive in adapting its approach to suit the needs of different electorates, legislatures and governments. Since the Commission was created, it has sought to provide a tailored service to each nation, whilst drawing strength from its joint expertise in elections and political finance regulation.
Following the Scotland Act 2016, responsibility for Scottish Parliament elections was transferred to the Scottish Parliament in May 2017 (they already had this responsibility for local government elections). The Wales Act 2017 also transferred responsibility for local government and Assembly elections to the National Assembly for Wales, now the Welsh Parliament or Senedd Cymru. From April 2021, the Commission has also been financially accountable to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd for the relevant elements of its budget.
In England, the devolution of power to local government has grown over the last few years, with ‘devolution deals’ and directly elected mayors.
In Northern Ireland elections are not devolved but the Commission has the same functions as for the rest of the United Kingdom.
Over the course of this Corporate Plan, we will see the next General Election, and further elections for local government, combined authority and local mayors, police and crime commissioners, NI Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Senedd and London Assembly.
Board composition
The Commission comprises 10 Commissioners, four of which are nominated by political parties. This vacancy is for one of the six ordinary Commissioners recruited by open competition. Commissioners are non-executive, and bring a wide range of experience from politics, executive roles and around the UK to the organisation. The Chief Executive and staff of the Commission are accountable to Commissioners.
Additional information about the board can be found
here.Commissioners are expected to act at all times to further the Commission’s aims and objectives and to uphold its independence and impartiality. In order to maintain public confidence in the democratic process, the Commission upholds the highest standards of integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity. The Code of Conduct for Electoral Commissioners sets clear guidance on the standard of behaviour expected of Commissioners.