Appointment details

Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee for Government Legal Department

Summary

• Organisation: Government Legal Department
• Sponsor department: Attorney General's Office
• Location: London
• Sectors: Finance and Audit
• Skills: Audit and Risk, Technology / Digital
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 15 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £17,000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years with the possibility of extension
• Application deadline: Midday on 27 October 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   29 September 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 27 October 2025

3. Sifting date

   28 November 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   12 December 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Civil Service departments. We are a non-Ministerial department sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office / the Law Officers for England and Wales.  

Our core mission is as simple as it is profound: we help the Government to govern well, within the rule of law. To do that we provide legal services in relation to matters of the highest importance to the UK. These are matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament, the Courts and by the media, including expert advisory, litigation, commercial and employment law services; and advising on Ministers’ policy, giving effect to it through secondary legislation we draft on their behalf and instructing Parliamentary Counsel to draft Bills which we take through Parliament to Royal Assent. 

GLD is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse community of lawyers and wider professionals. The Department has over 3,000 employees, around 2,000 of whom are solicitors or barristers. We have advisory teams working at the very highest levels of government as the primary legal advisers for Ministers and senior officials on the most significant issues of the day. From the cost-of-living crisis to the coronation, from national security to transportation, from healthcare to human rights, we provide the legal advice which underpins the government response, often working in concert with private sector legal providers. Our expert legal teams operate at the cutting-edge of contemporary legal practice and are acclaimed across the profession for their expertise, regularly winning and being shortlisted for awards including those presented by the Bar Council, The Lawyer, and the Financial Times.  

In addition to this, as Civil Servants, we are steeped in the values and culture of the UK Civil Service and dedicated to the finest traditions of public service as can be seen in the fact that we are driving the work of all current public inquiries which are some of the most significant in recent years (the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry). Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism.  

We are a unique legal organisation, combining the practice of law with the running of a government department and we want to make sure that GLD is a brilliant place to work, where we can all thrive and fulfil our potential.  

We invite you to join us in our crucially important work of upholding the law, advising Government, and serving the nation.  

Appointment description

The role  

Following a comprehensive review of our governance arrangements, including our relationship with the Attorney General’s Office, which included the redefining of the role of Non-Executives within the Department, we are looking for a highly motivated and experienced person to join us as a Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (a sub-committee of the GLD Board). The ideal candidate will be inherently strategic, with a proven track record in driving technology innovation within an organisation and experience of accountability at the most senior levels for finance and risk.  

Non-Executives complement the balance of experience, knowledge and skills of the Executive Members of the Board by bringing an external perspective. The value of the Non-Executives lies in their constructive challenge and the fresh, objective viewpoint that they provide.  

Key responsibilities  

This is an exciting, varied role, which will require the successful candidate, as a member of the Board to:  

• Contribute to the setting and development of GLD’s key objectives and targets and support the delivery of a portfolio of Departmental priorities.  
• Provide GLD with guidance, and constructive challenge on key issues for the Department, including but not limited to the departmental Strategies, the Business Plan, its Principal Risks, its structure, and the performance of the organisation.  
• Connect the Board to ideas and proven methods of delivery from experience in the private sector and/or other organisations, sharing the different perspectives and approaches that could benefit GLD. This includes influencing innovation, technological advancement and a digital-first approach to encourage a culture continuous improvement in this space, efficiency, and value for money.  
• Provide advice aimed at supporting the Department in its drive to render a resilient, responsive high quality legal service to meet prevailing technological, political, policy and operational delivery challenges.  
• Engender a culture that enables effective and constructive discussion at the Board.  
• Support and promote the delivery of GLD’s strategic and operational priorities. Hold the Executive Team to account for the management, delivery, performance and financial reporting provided to the Board. 4  
• Support the Permanent Secretary in their role as Accounting Officer and CEO of GLD.  
• Act as an ambassador for GLD, engaging with key players across government, the legal profession and wider stakeholder community as an advocate for the Department, to highlight the importance of its work, the quality of the legal services it delivers and further raise its profile.  

As Chair of the GLD Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, to:  

• Ensure robust financial governance and risk management, meeting regulatory requirements and best practice, with oversight of financial planning, management and analysis. 
• Support the ARAC to operate in line with the best financial, governance and assurance practice in government by:  
• supporting and assuring GLD’s internal control systems — through internal audits of processes, and external audit assurance of financial statements and control processes, to enable the production of GLD’s Agency and Departmental Annual Report and Accounts (which includes affirmation of Annual Governance Statements, review of the external audit findings, and approval of the Letter of Representation to the external auditors);  
• providing the GLD Board and Accounting Officer with assurance to support the finalisation of GLD’s Crown’s Nominee Annual Report and Accounts; 
• considering the adequacy of the management response to issues identified by audit activity, including External Audit’s Management Letter;  
• advising the committee on risk management; and  
• supporting the oversight of GLD’s whistleblowing policies and processes.  
• Provide the Committee with guidance, and constructive challenge on key issues for the Department as well as offer advice on strategic risks, risk appetite, processes for and adequacy of risk management, the effectiveness of audit activity (and planning), and any breaches. 

Organisation description

More information about GLD can be found here. 

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Experience of contributing to the strategic direction of a complex public or private sector organisation as a Non-Executive Board Member and/or Committee Member, with the knowledge and credibility to provide constructive challenge to the Executive and who complements their balance of experience, knowledge and skillset.
• CCAB (or equivalent) financially qualified with extensive senior level experience of governance, finance, risk management, internal control assurance and compliance and comprehensive understanding of the role of an Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
• Experience of leading a high-performing organisation through extensive transformation where technological change was a key factor, or of having led on the development and implementation of innovative technology strategies, with insight and awareness of new and emerging technology that may bring opportunities for more effective delivery of GLD’s legal and corporate services.
• Experience of risk, performance and financial management with strong analytical skills and the ability to identify key issues/implications.
• An ability to develop an effective and constructive relationship with the Lead Executive Board Member and GLD Board Chair, Permanent Secretary, other Executive and Non-Executive Board members, and other key external stakeholders (including internal and external audit and finance colleagues).
• Evidence of instilling a culture which promotes diversity and inclusion, combined with high ethical standards and integrity to ensure unbiased and fair oversight.
• An understanding of government and public sector governance requirements and sway of working; or the ability to quickly gain this understanding. Direct experience of the public sector is not required. 

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience as an Audit and Risk Committee Chair 
• Experience of operating in a legal services context would be advantageous but is not essential 

Application and selection process

How to apply

To apply for this post please submit the following documents no later than 12 noon Monday 27 October 2025. All applications must be submitted via the following link: 

https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe122467 

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A supporting statement (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification and your motivation for applying.
• A completed Disclosure Form declaring potential conflicts of interest and conduct matters.
• Candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant parts in the application system if applying under this scheme.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Diversity and Inclusion objectives. You will also be required to provide the details for two potential referees. References will be requested for those candidates invited to interview.

Failure to submit all documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please ensure that all documents contain your full name. Your application will be acknowledged by GatenbySanderson’s online system. Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with mary.dempsey@gatenbysanderson.com.

Overview of the application process

Longlist  

• You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process.  
• The panel will then assess all applications to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Essential Characteristics’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.  
• The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all longlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Candidates selected for longlisting will be invited for a discussion with GatenbySanderson to further explore their skills and experience.  

Shortlist  

• The panel will review interview reports on longlisted candidates and select the shortlist.  
• The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made and shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.  

Interview  

• Shortlisted candidates may have the opportunity for an informal discussion with an interview panel member prior to interview.  
• Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the essential criteria.  
• Interviews are expected to take place in person, to be determined nearer to the interview date. You may be required to prepare a short presentation. Full details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.  

Due Diligence  

Please note that due diligence will be carried out on shortlisted candidates. Candidates should expect this to include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. Prior to interview, you will be asked to provide details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of the capacity and over what period of time they have known you.  

Offer 

• Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible after the final interview.  

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The selection panel will be chaired by the Department’s Lead Non-Executive, the Permanent Secretary, the Director General to the Law Officers (at the Attorney General’s Office) and the Director of Finance, Digital and Operations. Any additional panel members will be confirmed to those invited to interview.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for appointment, you must have the right to work in the UK. You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you become bankrupt or make an arrangement with creditors;
• 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;
• you are disqualified from acting as a company director under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986;
• you have been convicted of a criminal offence, the conviction not being spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53);
• you become subject to a debt relief order or a bankruptcy restrictions order;
• you have been disqualified as a charity trustee;
• you fail to declare any conflict of interest.

Security clearance

If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance initially to BPSS level and a willingness to move to Security Check (SC) level whilst in post, if necessary. More information about the vetting process can be found here. 

Additional information for candidates

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

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact mary.dempsey@gatenbysanderson.com as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs e.g. to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need this pack in an alternative format, wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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. 

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service nor an employee of Government Legal Department. 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 (3 years), with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term.  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

The fee for this role will be £17,000 per annum for the expected time commitment, plus reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on GLD business, at rates set by GLD. Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed. Travel to usual place of work will not be reimbursed. 

Non-Executives in Government are neither employees of the Crown, nor of GLD. 

Please note that successful candidates cannot be renumerated for this role if they are employees of organisations whose funds are derived from Votes of Parliament (for example, Government Departments, UK Atomic Energy Authority, British Broadcasting Corporation, Research Councils, UKRI and other Non-Departmental Public Bodies). This includes all civil servants (full time or part time). 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme or benefit scheme for Civil Servants. 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 Government Legal Department (scsrecruitment@governmentlegal.gov.uk) if you would like to make a complaint.

Data protection

Government Legal Department is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information and does so in accordance with data protection law including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). All the information you provide will be used to proceed with the appointment listed in this information pack and in the case of diversity monitoring information may be anonymised and used solely for monitoring purposes. Please see here for more information on Government Legal Department's privacy notice. 

Please see here for more information on GatenbySanderson's privacy notice. 

Contact details

For a confidential discussion about the role to help you determine your suitability for application and/or to answer any questions you might have, please contact one of our recruitment advisors at GatenbySanderson:

• Rosanne Sarratt, rosanne.sarratt@gatenbysanderson.com
• Olivia Robinson, olivia.robinson@gatenbysanderson.com
• Julie Myers, julie.myers@gatenbysanderson.com

If you have any questions about the appointments process, you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, or require additional assistance to support you in your application, please email mary.dempsey@gatenbysanderson.com

Attachments

• Government Legal Department Non-Executive Director Candidate Information Pack