Appointment details

Non-Executive Directors and Non-Executive Director Chair of RPA’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC)

Summary

• Organisation: Rural Payments Agency
• Sponsor department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Environment, Agriculture & Fishing
• Skills: Accountancy, Audit and Risk, Technology / Digital, Procurement, Transformation, Cyber Security
• Number of vacancies: 4
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £500 per day
• Length of term: The roles will have a mix of two, three and four-year tenures to ensure long term continuity of the Board.
• Application deadline: Midday on 31 October 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   13 October 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 31 October 2025

3. Sifting date

   14 November 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   28 November 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

About the Rural Payments Agency (RPA)

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is an executive agency of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We are a Civil Service Operational Delivery Profession organisation, with the majority of our people delivering day to day services to our customers and stakeholders. We are an organisation of c2500 colleagues, based at various sites across England. We’re a dispersed team, and many of our employees live in the communities we serve.

Our roles:

• We deliver vital support to the rural economy by administering a wide range of farmer and trader led schemes. Paying out over £2 billion in payments each year.

• We support and advise customers, both virtually and on the ground, helping them navigate schemes and make informed decisions that benefit their businesses, the environment, and Defra outcomes.

• We engage in collaborative delivery, by assuring the effective management of schemes delivered in partnership with Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

• We safeguard animal health and food security through the management of livestock identification and traceability services across Great Britain.  

To achieve across such wide range of schemes, the RPA manages information on more than two million land parcels and 13 million cattle movements, carries out over 23,000 inspections or visits each year and holds data on 120,000 customers.  

We will continue to evolve, ensuring we support the growth of environmentally and economically sustainable businesses across the country. Over the coming years our strategy will improve our service and develop our people to drive outcomes aligned to the government’s objectives. This will reinforce our role as more than just a paying agency, but as a key delivery partner of government policy.  

Our values underpin the way we approach our work and drive us daily as we strive to be an outstanding place to work.  Our values are: Visible, Engaging, Respectful, Inclusive, Trusted, Accountable and Supportive (VERITAS). 

Introduction from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Non-Executive Director / ARAC Chair at RPA. 

The successful candidates for these roles will be joining RPA at an exciting time as the organisation embarks on an ambitious programme of transformation which will shape the future of the agency and help it reach its full potential. It is recognised that farming and rural affairs have changed and continue to change, and as a customer focused agency, it is important that RPA consistently adapts and improves for farmers, landowners and rural communities. Our nation needs quality food, a healthy environment, and a thriving rural economy, and these are the things that RPA is here to support. We want to improve outcomes for the environment and economy, our customers and our people.  

RPA is looking for Non-Executives Directors and an ARAC Chair who are passionate about growing the agricultural sector and improving the environment.  The ability to engage and act as an advocate for the agency within the highest levels of Defra and across government will be vital. In addition, you must be willing to develop a deep understanding and commitment to RPA’s remit as well as being ready to demonstrate how your own experience can add value to achieving agency’s objectives.  

If you think that you can take on these rewarding roles, I strongly encourage you to apply. I particularly encourage applications from talented people from all backgrounds to ensure the Board reflects our diverse society and takes an inclusive and equitable approach. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of the society they serve. 

Potential candidates are encouraged to have an informal conversation with me about the role before submitting their application. Please contact Alison Morgan (alison.morgan@rpa.gov.uk) to arrange this.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Appointment description

The role of the Agency Management Board:

The RPA Management Board plays a vital advisory and support role to the Chief Executive. While it is not a decision-making body, it contributes significantly by helping to manage the Agency’s reputation, build influential networks, provide operational delivery expertise, and offer strategic challenge where appropriate. 

The Board is responsible for setting and advancing the strategic aims and objectives of the RPA, ensuring alignment with the agency’s overall direction established by the Secretary of State. 

It also ensures that a robust framework of effective and prudent controls are in place to assess and manage risk. In addition, the Board provides strategic advice on policy implementation and key objectives, scrutinises performance, and supports the Chief Executive Officer in fulfilling their responsibilities as Accounting Officer, ensuring value for money and effective delivery of the agency’s remit.

The role of a Non-Executive Director:  

We are seeking to appoint new Non-Executive Directors to serve on both RPA’s Management Board and the ARAC. These roles are critical to supporting the agency through a period of significant transformation and strategic development.

Candidates are sought with expertise aligned to the challenges RPA is expected to navigate over the next three years. In particular, we are looking for individuals with experience in:

• Large-scale operational delivery – bringing insight into managing complex, high-volume services with a focus on efficiency and impact.

• Digital transformation – supporting innovation, modernisation, and the effective use of technology to improve service delivery and internal processes.

• Customer insight and experience – ensuring that the needs and expectations of farmers, landowners, and rural communities are at the heart of RPA’s operations.

The role of the RPA Audit & Risk Assurance Committee 

Chaired by a Non-Executive Director who also sits on the Agency Management Board (AMB), ARAC is responsible for advising both the AMB and the Chief Executive (as Accounting Officer) on the adequacy and effectiveness of the agency’s accounts and internal control systems. This includes oversight of both internal and external audits. The Chair of RPA’s ARAC also serves as a member of the Defra Audit and Risk Committee. 

ARAC reviews the agency’s Annual Report and Accounts, its approach to risk and fraud risk management, the EU Accounts, and planning for the National Audit Office’s audit of the UK accounts. 

The role of the Non-Executive Chair of ARAC:   

The Non-Executive Chair of RPA’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee plays a pivotal role in providing independent oversight of the agency’s financial management and risk assurance processes. This includes ensuring that the organisation’s financial controls are robust, transparent, and subject to rigorous scrutiny. The Chair leads the committee in reviewing the effectiveness of internal control systems, financial reporting, and audit arrangement, both internal and external. The successful candidate will also ensure that the agency’s risk management framework is fit for purpose, with appropriate mechanisms in place to identify, assess, and mitigate strategic and operational risks. 

Role Description

• Support the RPA in delivering its objectives by providing independent scrutiny, support and assurance. 

• Providing strong, constructive challenge and support to the Executive Team to ensure that the Agency achieves high levels of delivery performance for customers.

• Drive a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement to ensure improved customer experience.

• Support the digital transformation of systems including greater use of technology such AI to simplify processes and deliver services more effectively and efficiently. 

• Provide mentorship and advice to agency staff, supporting them to develop their capability. 

• Act as ambassador for the Agency, building and maintaining effective working relationships with a broad range of networks and stakeholders.

• Actively contribute to Board and Committee meetings, fostering high-quality debate and collaborative working.  

• Ensure adherence to the Corporate Governance Code, Managing Public Money, Public Bodies Handbook and all relevant standards governing public funds and conflicts of interest. 

• Support the development and delivery of the Annual Report and Accounts and the agency’s strategy. 

• Maintain open and effective communication with senior officials, Board colleagues, and key stakeholders to support the Agency’s objectives and values.

For the ARAC Chair role, the successful candidate will also be required to:

• Provide expert, independent advice to the RPA Management Board Chair and Chief Executive on finance, risk and governance matters. 

• Lead the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, ensuring effective oversight of internal controls, risk management, and audit processes. 

• Represent the RPA on the Defra Group Audit and Risk Committee, contributing to cross-departmental assurance and governance.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Significant experience and insight in business or industry, particularly within agriculture, farming, or related sectors.

• A proven ability to operate effectively at Board level, offering both strategic guidance and constructive challenge to the Executive Team, with a clear focus on driving performance and achieving measurable outcomes.

• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the capacity to assess complex issues, encourage innovative approaches, and support the Board in identifying and managing risks.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building trusted, influential relationships across senior leadership, Ministers, delivery partners, and a wide range of stakeholders. 

• A sound understanding of the Public Sector environment, including the structure and function of Public Bodies and the key challenges they face in delivering services and maintaining public trust.  

• The ability to respond with agility and sound judgement in fast-moving or sensitive situations, demonstrating a pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.

• In-depth knowledge of corporate governance, including risk management, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.

For the ARAC Chair role, candidates must meet the following additional essential criteria:

• A formal accounting qualification and substantial experience in accounting, forecasting, auditing and risk management.

• Significant experience in the application of recognised approaches to risk management, internal control, and corporate governance.

• An ability to analyse issues and emerging risks at a strategic level in ways which are impartial, creative, innovative, and focused on finding solutions.

• Proven experience of working with internal and external audit functions. 

Personal Attributes:

• Demonstrates unwavering integrity, probity, and high ethical standards, underpinned by a strong grasp of governance principles and control systems, and the ability to apply them appropriately and effectively. 

• Possesses the ability to maintain perspective, identify critical issues, and engage in intelligent questioning, constructive debate, and rigorous challenge. 

• Brings independence of thought and sound judgement, offering impartial, objective, and pragmatic advice.  

• Exhibits the strength of character required to seek and secure comprehensive and satisfactory answers within a Board environment. 

• Highly effective communicator with strong relationship-building skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate, challenge appropriately, and listen with sensitivity and respect.  

• Committed to the Seven Principles of Public Life, with the dedication and availability to invest the necessary time to understand the organisation’s dynamics and strategic context.

Desirable criteria

·         A record of achievement in a Non-Executive role. 

·         Practical experience of complex payment systems and IT procurement.

·         Farming or related industries knowledge and experience.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in. Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. Completed applications should be submitted by the deadline of midday on Friday 31 October 2025.

To apply, all candidates are required to provide:  

• A CV of no more than two sides of A4 with education professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees.   

• A supporting statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max two pages please).  

• a short professional biography (150 words) 

• 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.  

If you need further advice, please email alison.morgan@rpa.gov.uk

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)

Adrian Belton - RPA Non-Executive Agency Management Board Chair - Representative of Organisation – Panel Chair

Mike Rowe - Farming and Countryside Programme Director - Representative of Organisation

Independent Member -tbc

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 email alison.morgan@rpa.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 and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

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.

Appointments will be fixed terms of between two to four years. 

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 Alison Morgan: alison.morgan@rpa.gov.uk if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application. The team will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

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

Contact details

If you need further advice, please email alison.morgan@rpa.gov.uk

The approximate time requirement will be 20 days per year for Non-Executive Director and 25 for the ARAC Chair. This allows for attendance at Board and Committee meetings, involvement in Board sub-committees, associated preparation time and other ad hoc Agency Management Board events/advisory support to executives. Meetings generally take place either at RPA’s main offices or virtually via MS Teams.

The roles will have a mix of two, three and four-year tenures to ensure long term continuity of the Board.

Appointments will be fixed terms of between two to four years.

Attachments

• 1_RPA NEDs_Candidate Pack

• 2_PAT Guidance Notes

• 3_PAT-Privacy Notice