BEIS Public Appointments Diversity Panel Debate 2020

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) hosted a Public Appointments Diversity panel debate on Monday 2nd March, at Church House in London. Over 100 guests heard from Alex Chisholm, Permanent Secretary, BEIS, about its 40 Partner Organisations; their purpose and strategies which feed into delivering the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Regina Finn, Chair of Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCC) & Electricity Settlements Company (ESC) gave her reflections on taking up a public sector board appointment.

The panel, moderated by Sarah Harrison MBE, Director General, Corporate Services at the Department for BEIS, comprised Stephen Dingle, Chair of The Coal Authority; Lopa Patel MBE, Non-Executive Director at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Dr Alison Fraser-Walker, Independent Panel Member. The panel discussed the work of public sector boards and what can be done to increase diversity, the challenges for board appointees, recruitment practices and how to develop a pipeline of leaders for the public sector. This was followed by moderated networking allowing potential candidates a chance to talk to NEDs from BEIS boards about the roles and what they involve and to talk to people informally about the application process. There was also an opportunity to feed in suggestions at the ‘Ideas Station’ for future actions on how to improve diversity and inclusion.

About the Speakers

Sarah Harrison MBE (Moderator)
Director General, Corporate Services BEIS

Sarah Harrison became Director General, Corporate Services at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on 28 February 2018.

Sarah was the Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission from October 2015. Prior to joining the Commission, Sarah was at the UK energy regulator, Ofgem, where she held a number of senior executive roles: as Senior Partner, Sustainable Development, Managing Director of Corporate Affairs and, before that, Communications Director. Before joining Ofgem in 2000, Sarah was the first Chief Executive of ICSTIS, the UK industry regulator for premium rate telephone services. Her earlier career was in government and public relations consultancy.

Sarah was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to consumer protection.

Stephen Dingle
Chair, The Coal Authority

Stephen Dingle became Chair of the Board in April 2013, having been appointed a non-executive director in 2008. His background is in banking and finance with property, mining and higher education specialisations. He was formerly a partner with Ernst & Young LLP and an executive director at N M Rothschild & Sons Ltd. Stephen embarked on a portfolio career in 2007. He was a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee at Registers of Scotland until December 2015 and a non-executive director and member of the audit committee at Disclosure Scotland until December 2015.

Lopa Patel MBE
Non-Executive Director, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO)

Lopa Patel is a digital entrepreneur with significant experience of creating start-ups and transforming businesses through technology. The founder of two ventures in online media and a data-driven marketing consultancy, she is also the Chair of equality and inclusion think tank Diversity UK; a Trustee of The Science Museum Group and a Non-Executive Director of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

She is an ambassador for entrepreneurship, innovation and technology and has been recognised with accolades including an MBE for services to the creative industries; the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University, in recognition of her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in science and technology and her broader contribution to British industry, society and culture.

Alison Fraser-Walker
Independent Panel Member

Alison Fraser-Walker is a Sykes Fairbairn associate specializing in organizational leadership assessment and development, team behaviour, performance management and coaching. Alison has been the CEO of a not-for-profit organization and was Director of Consultancy for Ashridge CEL delivering leadership and management training within the FE sector.

Alison is currently working for a doctorate in organizational leadership with the University of Phoenix, USA. She is trained in psychometric assessment (BPS levels A & B), is an accredited coach and a qualified commercial conflict mediator. She has a broad portfolio of experience and skill within the public sector, in central and local government, government agencies and all levels of the education sector. Her business clients include organisations in retail, financial services, healthcare (medical devices), and construction/civil engineering sectors.

About Public Appointments

Every year, the Government makes over a thousand public appointments to the board of public bodies, which collectively spend over £200bn a year. Varying from arts councils to the National Health Service, these boards impact upon the lives of people living across the UK.

Public appointees provide leadership and guidance. Responsibilities include:

Setting the organisation's strategy, agreeing business plans and recruiting key staff;
Holding senior staff to account on how the body is manages, business plans are delivered, and budgets are spent;
Representing the work and views of the body of ministers, parliamentarians, stakeholders and the wider public.

Appointments vary in time commitment and remuneration and are normally held for a period of three to five years,

Departmental Non-Executive Board Members (NEBMSs) provide independent advice which informs the central department’s decision making process. NEBMs are also appointed by ministers through an open recruitment process.

Becoming and NEBM or public appointee provides an opportunity to play a real part in shaping our society and the decisions that affect our lives.

As a public appointee you will also have a unique opportunity to develop new skills, widen your network and gain valuable board experience to help progress your career.

For further information visit https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/