Appointment details

Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee

Summary

• Organisation: Migration Advisory Committee
• Sponsor department: Home Office
• Location: London
• Sectors: Business and Trade
• Skills: Business
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 2 day(s) per week
• Remuneration: £174,000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 Years
• Application deadline: 11pm on 23 March 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   18 February 2026

2. Application deadline

   11pm on 23 March 2026

3. Sifting date

   30 March 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   24 April 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The MAC advises the government on a range of migration policy issues, offering independent evidence-based advice. It has established a world-class reputation for the quality of its advice and its influential role in the system.

The MAC aims to deliver high quality evidence-based reports and policy advice in response to commissions from the Government. The MAC also operates its own research programme to improve and broaden the existing evidence base on issues related to migration. 

To date the advice of the Committee has included impacts of migration; salary requirements of work visa routes; financial requirements for the family visa route; and reviewing the graduate visa route. The MAC’s advice also informs the compilation of the Temporary Shortage List for work visas. 

The MAC’s current terms of reference can be found here. 

Structure

The MAC is currently made up of a Chair, Deputy Chair and three additional members. An ex-officio member from the Home Office is also represented on the Committee. The MAC is currently comprised of:

• Professor Brian Bell (Chair, who will demit from role on 8 March)

• Dr Madeleine Sumption MBE (Deputy Chair)

• Professor Jo Swaffield (Member)

• Professor Dina Kiwan (Member)

• Professor Sergi Pardos-Prado (Member)

The MAC is supported by a secretariat, which is primarily based in London, though has some team members across the UK. 

The Nature of MAC Work

The Committee has produced numerous reports since its inception. The full set of MAC reports is available here. 

Appointment description

Job Title:         Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)

Appointment:  Minimum 2 days per week with flexible arrangement. 

Remuneration: £174,000 per annum (pro-rata £69,600 based on 2 days per week worked)

Reporting to:    Home Secretary through the Minister for Migration and Citizenship

Location:          Flexible. However, frequent travel to central London is a requirement of the role, as is occasional site visits to employers and employer bodies across the                            UK. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy. 

Purpose

The MAC Chair, appointed by the Home Secretary, is responsible for leading the Committee in the delivery of its responsibilities. This is a high-profile role on a key government delivery priority, and the Chair will be a key adviser in helping to shape Government policy. 

The Chair will establish effective working relationships within the Committee, including with the Deputy Chair, across the MAC secretariat (Civil Service teams of c.30 that support and deliver work of the committee) and with government departments and independent bodies (e.g. the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and Skills England). The Chair will also provide executive analytical input and offer strategic leadership.

The MAC is an independent, non-statutory, non-time limited, non-departmental public body that was established in 2007 and is funded by the Home Office. The MAC was established to provide transparent, independent, evidence-based advice to the government on migration.  

Responsibilities

The Chair is responsible for: 

• Formulating the MAC’s strategy.

• Providing executive analytical input to MAC work and collaborating with the MAC Secretariat to ensure delivery of high-quality analysis.

• Developing links with Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and DWP as part of the new Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) to support a                    coherent approach to skills, migration and labour market policy.

• Proactive engagement with Ministers and, where appropriate, senior officials from the Devolved Governments.

• Proactively engaging with other relevant stakeholders to maintain the MAC’s reputation and key relationship.

• Ensuring that the Committee, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of guidance provided by the responsible Minister or the department.

• Promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources.

• Delivering high standards of regularity and propriety.

•      Representing the views of the Committee to the general public and the media as arranged by the Secretariat. The Chair will have the responsibility of speaking on             behalf of the MAC to the press or of being interviewed by journalists and broadcast media.

• Ensuring that the MAC meets at appropriate intervals; operates under a presumption of openness; every member is heard and that no view is overlooked or ignored;          any significant diversity of opinion is fully explored and discussed

• Reporting the MAC’s advice to Government.

• Monitoring and engaging with appropriate governance arrangements to ensure that the MAC’s affairs are conducted with probity.

• Ensuring that policies and actions support the responsible Minister’s wider strategic policies and where appropriate, these policies and actions should be clearly                  communicated and disseminated throughout the MAC.

• The Chair is expected to chair, set the agenda, attend all MAC meetings unless otherwise agreed with the Secretariat. 

• The MAC Chair is appointed as an individual and not as a representative for any particular profession, employer or interest group. They will always work in the public           interest, considering all issues from an independent perspective and on merit.

The Chair also has an obligation to ensure that: 

• The work of the Committee and its members are reviewed and are working effectively including ongoing assessment of the performance of individual Committee                members with a formal annual evaluation and more in-depth assessments of the performance of individual Committee members when being considered for re-                    appointment.

• In conducting assessments that the view of relevant stakeholders including the Secretariat and the sponsorship team are sought and considered.

• The Committee has a balance of skills appropriate to directing the MAC’s business.

• Committee members are fully briefed on terms of appointment, duties, rights and responsibilities.

• The responsible Minister is advised of the MAC’s needs when Committee vacancies arise.

• The MAC acts in accordance with its Framework Document.

• There is a code of practice for Committee members in place, consistent with the Cabinet Office Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.

The Chair of the MAC is appointed for such periods as the Home Secretary may determine but no such period shall exceed three years. His/her appointment and any reappointments must be compliant with the principles set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Chair must always follow public service values by:

• adhering to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.

• following the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

•      being accountable, through Ministers, to Parliament and to the public for the activities of the MAC and for the standard of advice that it provides.

•      not misusing information gained in the course of public service for personal gain or political purpose, nor seeking to use the opportunity of public service to promote           their private interests or those of connected persons, firms, businesses, or other organisations.

• not holding any paid or high-profile unpaid posts in a political party or engaging in specific political activities on matters directly affecting the work of the MAC.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant labour markets or migration economics issues within the private, public or voluntary sectors.

• Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward priorities of the Department and MAC, protect independence, and harness and develop the skills of a            diverse team.

• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work and challenges of the MAC and the context within which it operates.

• Excellent economics and quantitative analytical skills, with the ability to design, conduct, and interpret both quantitative and qualitative research, and to make clear              and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the MAC's objectives.

• Collaboration: ability to work closely with the MAC, Secretariat and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.

• Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with                  clarity and respect.

• Relationship building: ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders. 

Desirable criteria

• The ability to speak with confidence and authority on matters relating to migration in the public sphere, to maintain a public and media profile which advocates for the role of evidence in migration policy.

Application and selection process

About this appointment

Some public appointments are made by the Prime Minister, or the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Others are made by Secretaries of State or other ministers and are of interest to the Prime Minister.

Public appointments made by or of interest to the Prime Minister

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 23:00, Monday 23 March 2026. 

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 new 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

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

2. 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.

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 To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• a short professional biography (150 words)

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.

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.

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 Dan Hobbs, Director General, Migration and Borders and senior policy sponsor of the MAC, who will act as Panel Chair, and comprise Stephen Aldridge, Chief Economist and Director of Analysis and Data Directorate at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Hilary Emery CBE as the Independent 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)

If you need further advice, please contact  publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to have or willing to obtain security clearance to Security Clearance (SC) level. 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.

Frequent travel to central London is a requirement of the role, as is occasional site visits to employers and employer bodies across the UK. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

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.

If you are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the competition, please raise any complaint in the first instance with the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointments@homeoffice.gov.uk  We will reply to your complaint within 20 days. If, after receiving our response you are still not

satisfied, you may contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments: https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk.

Data protection

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

Attachments

• Candidate Pack

• Home Office Privacy Notice

Contact details

If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, or merely wish to have an informal discussion about the work of the MAC, then please contact holly.white@mac.gov.uk (Head of the MAC Secretariat) in the first instance.

If you have any queries about the recruitment process for this role, please contact the Public Appointments Team at: publicappointments@homeoffice.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