Appointment details

Non-Executive Director - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Summary

• Sponsor department: Department for Transport
• Location: South West
• Sectors: Transport
• Skills: Regulation, Transformation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 36 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £15,000 per annum
• Length of term: Three years
• Application deadline: 10am on 30 March 2026

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   27 February 2026

2. Application deadline

   10am on 30 March 2026

3. Sifting date

   29 April 2026

4. Interviews expected to end on

   22 June 2026

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Applicant,  

Thank you for your interest in the Non-Executive Director (NED) position on the Board of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).  

This is an important time for the Department for Transport. We are investing heavily in infrastructure and public transport to improve journeys, boost connections, level up the country and support economic growth. Central to our mission is delivering transport that works for everyone in our society. 

We are recruiting for a NED to join our team on the Board of the DVSA. The DVSA is responsible for conducting driving tests, authorising driving instructors and MOT testers, inspecting lorries and buses to ensure roadworthiness, performing roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and overseeing vehicle safety recalls. The purpose of the DVSA is to Keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably by ensuring that drivers, vehicles, and operators meet the required safety and environmental standards. 

The position requires a proven ability to deliver operational improvements and build organisational resilience at scale, alongside a strategic mindset to shape future direction and provide thought leadership on complex issues. They will manage stakeholder dynamics effectively, fostering strong relationships that support long-term success, and apply deep knowledge of regulatory and governance challenges within the road industry to ensure robust oversight. Working collaboratively with the Chair, board members, and the Executive Team, they will provide support, strategic guidance, and constructive challenge to help steer DVSA toward its vision. 

We strongly welcome applications from all backgrounds. As part of the Department’s commitment to diversity, we believe our public appointments should reflect our customers - the travelling public – who come from all walks of life and have different experiences. We very much welcome fresh talent, expertise, and perspectives, to help us better understand the needs of the communities we serve and support better decision making for all. This includes people who may have never applied for a public appointment – but could bring new ideas, insights and energy. 

If you are interested in the role and work of DVSA, I would like to encourage you to apply.  

Our dedicated DfT Public Appointments Team would be happy to talk through the process and answer your questions.  

Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP

Secretary of State for Transport 

Introduction from the Chair

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) was formed on April 2, 2014, through the merger of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). 

The purpose of the DVSA is to Keep Britain moving safely and sustainably by ensuring that drivers, vehicles, and operators meet the required safety and environmental standards.

Appointment description

The DVSA is seeking a Non-Executive Director to join its Board. The successful candidate, through their membership of the Board, will provide challenge and support to a wide variety of management and operational issues and contribute to the effective strategic and operational leadership of the DVSA.

As a Non-Executive Director your key responsibilities will be to: 

• Contribute effectively to discussions on the leadership and performance of the business at the DVSA Board and Non-Executive meetings (10 meetings a year), usually held at S1 Berkeley House, Bristol or remotely on Microsoft Teams.
• Support the DVSA to examine, challenge and support the operational delivery and commercial implications of policy proposals, major projects and programmes, strategic and organisational issues.
• Work with the DVSA and senior managers to scrutinise the DVSA’s management information to ensure performance and delivery of the DVSA’s. Business Plan and other key objectives are ambitious and achievable 
• Bring an independent perspective to the work of the DVSA Board, as well as providing independent scrutiny for the DVSA upon request.
• Contribute as members of Board sub-committees within the DVSA corporate governance framework.

The role of DVSA Board shall be to run the DVSA, and to deliver the objectives, in accordance with the purposes as set out under the 2015 framework agreement. The board consists of a Chair and three executive members who will have the balance of skills and experience appropriate to directing the DVSA’s business. The Board is specifically responsible for:  

• Establishing and taking forward the strategic aims and objectives of the DVSA consistent with its overall strategic direction and within the policy and resources framework determined by the Secretary of State. 
• Providing effective leadership of the DVSA within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enables risk to be assessed and managed. 
• Ensuring the financial and human resources are in place for the DVSA to meet its objectives.   
• Reviewing management performance. 
• Ensuring that the Board receives and reviews regular financial and management information concerning the management of the DVSA. 
• Ensuring that it is kept informed of any changes which are likely to impact on the strategic direction of the DVSA Board or on the attainability of its targets, and determining the steps needed to deal with such changes and where appropriate bringing such matters to the attention of the responsible Minister and PAO via the executive team, sponsorship team or directly. 
• Ensuring that any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds are complied with; that the Board operates within the limits of any statutory authority and any delegated authority agreed with the sponsor department, and in accordance with any other conditions relating to the use of public funds.   
• Demonstrating high standards of corporate governance at all times, including by using the independent audit committee to help the board to address key financial and other risks.   
• Determining all such other things which the Board considers ancillary or conducive to the attainment or fulfilment by the DVSA of its objectives.   

The Board should ensure that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, governance and internal control.   

Organisation description

DVSA is responsible for delivering a wide range of statutory functions, including:  

Vehicle and Driver Testing  

• Conducting theory and practical driving tests for all vehicle categories.  
• Supervising compulsory basic training for motorcyclists.  
• Administering the register of approved driving instructors.  
• Approving MOT testers and centres.  
• Testing lorries, buses, and coaches for roadworthiness.

Enforcement and Compliance  

• Inspecting, examining, testing, and weighing road vehicles and their components.  
• Enforcing laws related to road vehicles and operators.  
• Carrying out roadside checks on commercial drivers and vehicles.  
• Monitoring and enforcing vehicle recalls.  

Licensing and Regulation  

• Supporting Traffic Commissioners in licensing and monitoring operators of lorries, buses, and coaches.  
• Providing staff and administrative support to Traffic Commissioners.  

Safety and Environmental Protection  

• Promoting road safety and environmental standards.  
• Approving and overseeing Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and drink-drive rehabilitation courses.  

Policy and Partnership Support

• Contributing to government policy through partnerships with public and private sector bodies.  
• Revising and promoting the Highway Code.

Operational and Ancillary Functions  

• Performing operations incidental or ancillary to the above duties.  
• Supporting innovation and efficiency in service delivery.  

Board composition

Current DVSA Non-Executive Directors:

• Nick Bitel – Non-Executive Chair  

• Helen Aston – Non-Executive Director 

• Jacob Abboud – Non-Executive Director 

• Matthew Campbell-Hill – Non-Executive Director 

Person specification

Essential criteria

1. A strong track record of managing and delivering significant operational improvements and organisational resilience at scale within the private, public, or voluntary sectors.  
2. A strategic mindset with the ability to provide leadership on complex strategy, helping to develop a clear view of options for the future and to contribute to delivering against this vision.  
3. Experience of managing complex stakeholder dynamics, driving strategic engagement initiatives, and fostering strong, productive relationships that support the organisation's long-term sustainable success. 
4. Experience and knowledge of the regulatory and governance challenges specific to the road industry, ensuring relevant and practical oversight. 
5. Ability to work closely with other board members, the Chair and the executive, providing support, strategic direction and constructively challenging the Executive Team.

Desirable criteria

In addition to the above essential criteria, whilst not essential to the role, we would be interested in hearing from candidates with a particular expertise in any of the following areas: 

1. Accessibility experience: Demonstrate previous experience in developing and implementing accessibility programs that ensure equitable access to services for all individuals, including those with disabilities, and/or; 
2. Technology: Experience and expertise in autonomy, emerging technologies or innovation and how it can help the road sector, or specifically the DVSA, in the coming years. 

Application and selection process

How to apply

If you wish to apply for these positions, please apply through the Cabinet Office’s Public Appointments website by 30th March 2026.

Any applications submitted after the closing date, or that are missing any of the following documents, will not be accepted. 

• A CV or equivalent biographical information (maximum two sides A4, minimum 12 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications.   
• A summary of why you are interested in the role and how you meet the specification and essential criteria. This can be in a form that allows you most ably to present your interest and credentials, for example a short, bullet-point slide presentation (of no more than 5 slides), a short video (no more than 2 mins) or supporting letter (no more than two A4 pages, minimum 12 font). Make sure you refer to the contents of this document and provide specific examples. If you wish to provide your supporting summary in video format, please contact DfTpublicappointments@dft.gov.uk in advance of the closing date. 
• You will also be asked to provide diversity data, and to declare any potential conflicts of interest or reputational issues. 

If you have any queries about this role, please contact the Department for Transport Public Appointments Team at DfTPublicAppointments@dft.gov.uk 

Overview of the application process

This role is being competed in accordance with the Governance Code (October 2025)1, which sets out the regulatory framework for public appointments processes. The Code is based on three core principles – merit, openness, and fairness. 

The DfT Public Appointments Team will acknowledge your application and keep you updated on the progress of the competition.  

At the short-listing meeting the selection panel will assess each application against the essential criteria and decide who to invite for interview.   

Interviews are expected to take place in central London and to last for between 45 and 60 minutes. Further details about the format will be provided to you in advance. 

Appointable candidates may be invited to meet with the Secretary of State, or another Department for Transport Minister, before they make a final decision.  

Please note: Expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance with the DfT Public Appointments Team. 

You can expect the recruitment process to take approximately 6 months; however, applicants will be kept informed of progress.  

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The selection panel for this appointment competition is: 

Nick Bitel, DVSA Non-executive Chair, DVSA 

Simon Connick, Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Deputy Director, DfT 

Trisha McAuley, Independent Panel Member 

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to have or be willing to obtain security clearance to Security Check (SC) level. Pre-appointment checks will also be undertaken on immigration and criminal convictions. It usually takes between 4-6 weeks to obtain the security clearance. The role will be offered on a conditional basis until the successful candidate has passed all checks.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We believe that by being a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone is valued, we are more motivated, higher performing and more committed to our team. We welcome all applicants, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, social background, religious beliefs, ethnicity, or age.  

As part of the application process, we ask candidates to complete equal opportunities monitoring information in the application portal. This will help us to monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. This part of the form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The form will not be treated as part of your application. 

Disability confident

The Department for Transport values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all and to the appointment of disabled people. As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we will select the disabled candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the role. ‘Best meet’ is defined as providing/ demonstrating strong examples of all essential criteria.  

In order to guarantee an interview to all disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy all the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, we need candidates to declare a disability and that they wish to be considered under the 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

You will be expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct. All successful candidates will be asked to subscribe to the Review Body’s “Codes of Practice”. Candidates will be expected to abide by the “Seven Principles of Public Life” set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. 

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

Your appointment as a Non-Executive Director of DVSA will be made by the Secretary of State. 

The appointment will be for an initial term of 3 years, with the option of re-appointment for up to a further 3 years by mutual agreement. 

It should be noted that this post is a public appointment; Chairs and Non-Executive Directors are neither employees of the Crown nor the Department for Transport. Such appointments are not normally subject to the provisions of employment law. 

Appointments may be ended prior to the conclusion of the period of appointment. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

• £15,000 per annum for up to 36 days attendance.
• If invited to chair a sub-committee, additional remuneration may be provided.  
• Remuneration is taxable through payroll, and the appointment is not pensionable. 
• Members can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred at rates set centrally by the Department for Transport/or the DVSA. 
• Applicants should note that the successful candidates cannot be remunerated for this role if they are being paid for an existing full-time role from the public purse. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

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:  

Via email: DfT Public Appointments DfTPublicAppointments@dft.gov.uk  

Public Appointments Team  

Shareholding, Appointments and Inquiries  

Department for Transport 

Great Minster House 

33 Horseferry Road 

London 

SW1P 4DR 

We will reply to your complaint within 20 days. 

Data protection

The Department for Transport (DfT) is the joint controller, with the Cabinet Office, for any personal data which you provide to us as part of your application. 

Information provided as part of this application will be kept securely within DfT and destroyed within 5 years of the conclusion of the recruitment campaign. 

DfT uses this form to gather evidence on DfT’s public appointments.  

The lawful basis that applies to this processing is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest to inform DfT’s recruitment policies in accordance with the Department’s public sector equality duties. For processing special category personal data (disability, religion, sexual orientation and ethnicity), we rely on Article 9(2)(g), reasons of substantial public interest (equality of opportunity and treatment).

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

Attachments

• Candidate Pack - DVSA NED

Contact details

For more information, please contact Adam Noott, Public Appointments Campaign Manager Adam.Noott@dft.gov.uk