Paragraph 3.3 of the Governance Code allows, in exceptional circumstances, for Ministers to appoint a candidate without a competition following a consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
There is a requirement in the Governance Code for Ministers to make the decision public alongside their reasons for doing so. A list of exceptional appointments made without a competition is set out below along with the Commissioner’s observations. The Commissioner updates this list at least quarterly, following announcements of the exceptional appointments by government.
2020/21
| Date Approved | Department | Body | Role | Name | Appointment Length | Reason | Correspondence between Commissioner and government | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 January 2021 | Home Office | SIA | Chair | David Horncastle | 6 months | Interim chair whilst competition completes for substantive | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 21 December 2020 | BEIS | Small Business Commissioner | Chair | Philip King | 2 months (extension) | Cover period until competition completes | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 98 KB) | Small Business Commissioner site announcement |
| 10 December 2020 | DCMS | OFCOM | Chair (Functions) | Maggie Carver | 6 months | Resignation of current chair | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 26 November 2020 | WG | Higher Education Funding Council for Wales | Chair | Rob Humphreys | 1 year | Minister rejected appointable candidates at competition and required to appoint a chair | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | Wales.gov Announcement |
| 26 November 2020 | DFE | Ofqual | Chair | Ian Bauckham | Up to 1 year | Following resignation of previous chair | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 09 November 2020 | DFE | Deputy Further Education Commissioner | Member | Nigel Duncan | 1 year | For continuity, COVID-19 contingency | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 5 November 2020 | CO | Equalities and Human Rights Commission | Member | Bernard Ribeiro | 1 year | To fill specialist skill set deficit | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 137 KB) | EHRC Announcement |
| 3 November 2020 | DH | NHS England | Member | Laura Wade-Gery | 9 months | For quoracy; matching operational structure | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 22 October 2020 | MOJ | Parole Board | Member | Melanie Miller | 1 year | To retain talent | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 146 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 22 October 2020 | MOJ | Parole Board | Member | Emma Pusill | 1 year | To retain talent | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 146 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 22 October 2020 | MOJ | Parole Board | Member | Denise White | 1 year | To retain talent | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 146 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 22 October 2020 | MOJ | Parole Board | Member | Rick Evans | 1 year | To retain talent | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 146 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 22 October 2020 | MOJ | Parole Board | Member | Carole Swafer | 1 year | To retain talent | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 146 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 2 September 2020 | WG | Public Health Wales | Member | Mohammed Mehmet | 1 year 6 months | Following failed competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | Wales.gov Announcement |
| 1 September 2020 | BEIS | Competitions and Markets Authority | Chair | Jonathan Scott | 1 year | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 127 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 25 August 2020 | DFE | Ofqual | Member | Glenys Stacey | 9 moths | To allow for competition and stability | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 18 August 2020 | WG | Welsh Revenue Authority | Member | Rheon Tomos | 1 year | For quoracy, to allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | Wales.gov Announcement |
| 18 August 2020 | WG | Welsh Revenue Authority | Member | Mary Champion | 1 year | For quoracy, to allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | Wales.gov Announcement |
| 13 August 2020 | MHCLG | Building Regulation Advisory Committee | Chair | Hywel Davies | 2 years 8 months | To sit as chair after departure of previous chair, whilst future of body is agreed in legislation | Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 115 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 13 August 2020 | MHCLG | Building Regulation Advisory Committee | Chair | Emma Clancy | 3 months (extension, in retrospect) | To align end of role with uptake of another | Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 115 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 13 August 2020 | MHCLG | Regulator of Social Housing | Chair | Simon Dow | 9 months | To allow for a competition to finish for a new Chair | Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 115 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 30 July 2020 | BEIS | Financial Reporting Council | Chair | Keith Skeoch | 6 months | To allow for competition after resignation of previous chair | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 98 KB) | FRC announcement |
| 28 July 2020 | Home Office | Technical Advisory Board | Member | Alex Leadbeater | 1 year | To make body quorate | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 7 July 2020 | DFT | HS2 | Member | Tom Harris | 9 months | For specialist skills; to allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 142 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 7 July 2020 | DFT | HS2 | Member | Ian King | 3 years | For direct government shareholder represenation | Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 142 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 7 July 2020 | DEFRA | Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board | Member | Richard Soffee | 9 months | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 133 KB) | AHDB Announcement |
| 6 July 2020 | Welsh Government | Industry Wales | Chair | Keith Ridgway | 18 months | Role being split; to provide stability during this time | Email (PDF, 1 page, 60 KB) | GOV.Wales Announcement |
| 3 July 2020 | DFE | Social Mobility Commission | Chair | Sandra Wallace Steven Cooper | 9 months | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 106 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 26 June 2020 | MOD | Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) | Chair | Mark Eames | 1 year | To allow for competition post Covid restrictions, and appoint based review advice | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 85 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 18 June 2020 | Cabinet Office | EHRC | Chair | Caroline Waters | 6 months | To allow for competition and pre-appointment scrutiny | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 260KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 18 June 2020 | Cabinet Office | EHRC | Member | Susan Johnson | 6 months | To allow for competition and pre-appointment scrutiny | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 260 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 2 June 2020 | MOJ | CAFCASS | Chair | Sally Cheshire | 9 months (Extension) | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) | Cafcass announcement |
| 18 May 2020 | DHSC | NHS Digital | Chair | Laura Wade-Gery | 7 months (Extension) | To allow for competition after internal review | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 7 May 2020 | WG | Swansea Bay University Health Board | Member | Martyn Waygood | 1 year (Extension) | To allow for competition for vice-chair | Email (PDF, 1 page, 60 KB) | Wales.gov Announcement |
| 23 April 2020 | BEIS | Small Business Commissioner | Chair | Philip King | 6 months (Extension) | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 103 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 23 April 2020 | BEIS | Regulatory Policy Committee | Chair | Stephen Gibson | 9 months | To allow for competition after immediate resignation of previous chair | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 102 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 16 April 2020 | Home Office | Independent Family Returns Panel | Chair | Helen Chamberlain | 6 months | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
| 7 April 2020 | DWP | The Pensions Ombudsman | Member | Claire Ryan | 1 year | Nature of the role is changing | Letter (PDF, 2 pages, 102 KB) | GOV.UK announcement |
2019/20
| Date Approved | Department | Body | Role | Name | Appointment Length | Reason | Correspondence between Commissioner and government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 March 2020 | DCMS | Visit England Advisory Board | Chair | Fiona Pollard | 3 months | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 59 KB |
| 19 March 2020 | WG | National Library of Wales | Chair | Meri Huws | 1 year | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) |
| 16 March 2020 | DfE | Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel | Chair | Karen Manners | 9 months | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 68 KB) |
| 13 March 2020 | MOD | Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) | Chair | Classified | 2 years | To allow for competition to take place | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 634 KB) |
| 5 March 2020 | DHSC | NICE | Chair | Tim Irish | 2 months extension | To allow for competition to begin | Email (PDF, 1 page, 57 KB) |
| 5 March 2020 | NHSI | Pennine Acute Hospital Trust | Member | Stephen Michael | 12 months | Trust is being dissolved and requires members during this time | Email (PDF, 1 page, 57 KB) |
| 2 March 2020 | Home Office | Migration Advisory Committee | Chair | Brian Bell | 6 months | To allow for competition to take place | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) |
| 19 February 2020 | DfT | East West Railway Company | Chair | Rob Brighouse | 6 months extension | To allow for competition to take place | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 63 KB) |
| 13 February 2020 | DCMS | Committee for the National Lottery Community Fund | Chair | Sandra McNamee | 9 months | To replace member, need NI representation | Email (PDF, 1 page, 58 KB) |
| 12 February 2020 | MOJ | CAFCASS | Chair | Sally Cheshire | 6 months | To allow for competition to take place | Email (PDF, 1 page, 57 KB) |
| 11 February 2020 | Home Office | College of Policing | Chair | Christine Elliot | 6 months | To allow for competition to take place | Email (PDF, 1 page, 57 KB) |
| 5 February 2020 | MOD | The South Eastern (SE) Veteran Advisory and Pensions Committee | Chair | David Anderson | 6 months | To allow for competition to take place | Email (PDF, 1 page, 291 KB) |
| 3 February 2020 | DFE | Student Loans Company | Chair | Andrew Wathey | 12 months | To allow competition initially delayed by purdah to take place | Email (PDF, 1 page, 290 KB) |
| 14 January 2020 | BEIS | Small Business Commissioner | Commissioner | Philip King | 6 months | Interim whilst a competition can be held to find a substantive chair | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 57 KB) |
| 11 December 2019 | DHSC | National Institute for Health and Care Excellence | Chair | Tim Irish | 3 months | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 18 KB) |
| 9 December 2019 | DEFRA | Covent Garden Market Authority | Member | Victoria Wilson | 9 months | To support existing members while competition to appoint substantive members is run | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 340 KB) |
| 25 November 2019 | WG | Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales | Chair | Debbie Williams | 2 years | Following failed competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page 42 KB |
| 13 November 2019 | WG | Swansea Bay University Health Board | Chair | Emma Woollett | 1 month extension | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 185 KB) |
| 13 November 2019 | DCMS | S4C | Chair | Hugh Hesketh-Evans | 6 months | To allow competition to conclude | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 61 KB) |
| 12 November 2019 | DCMS | National Lottery Heritage Fund | Chair | René Olivieri | 6 months | Following resignation of existing Chair | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 49 KB) |
| 12 November 2019 | DCMS | National Lottery Community Fund | Chair | Tony Burton | 12 months | Following failed competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 47 KB) |
| 22 October 2019 | MHCLG | Homes England | Chair | Simon Dudley | 9 months | Following resignation of existing Chair | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 61 KB) |
| 20 September 2019 and 13 October 2019 | WG | National Library Wales | President | Meri Huws | 6 months | To allow for competition following standing down of existing President due to ill health | Email (PDF, 1 page, 181 KB) |
| 18 September 2019 | WG | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board | Vice-Chair | Michael Imperato | 10 months | To support existing interim Chair while competition to appoint substantive Chair is run | Email (PDF, 1 page, 2017 KB) |
| 17 September 2019 | MOJ | Judicial Pension Board | Member | Russell Agius | 2 year reappointment | To allow for competition for highly specialist role | Email (PDF, 1 page, 184 KB) |
| 16 September 2019 | DHSC | NHS England | Member | Ara Darzi | 2 years | To ensure board remains quorate | Email (PDF, 1 page, 185 KB) |
| 09 September 2019 | NHSI | Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | Member | Aruna Mehta | 3 months | To provide stability to new Chair of the board | Email (PDF, 1 page, 204 KB) |
| 29 August 2019 | MHCLG | Regulator of Social Housing | Chair | Simon Dow | 12 months | Following failed competition | |
| 23 August 2019 | DWP | Social Security Advisory Committee | Chair | Liz Sayce | 12 months | Following the resignation of the existing Chair | Email (PDF, 1 page, 195 KB) |
| 14 August 2019 | WG | Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales | Chair | Ceri Stradling | 3 months | While long term interim Chair is identified | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 84 KB) |
| 06 August 2019 | WG | Swansea Bay University Health Board | Vice-Chair | Martyn Waygood | 8 months | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 541 KB) |
| 31 July 2019 | WG | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board | Chair | Charles Janczewski | 12 months | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 540 KB) |
| 24 July 2019 | DWP | The Pensions Ombudsman | Chair | Caroline Rookes | 12 months | To allow board to be formed | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 38 KB) |
| 22 July 2019 | WG | Hywel Dda University Health Board | Vice-Chair | Paul Newman | 1 month extension | Newly appointed Chair unable to take up post | Letter (PD, ` page 49 KB) |
| 22 July 2019 | WG | Hywel Dda University Health Board | Chair | Judith Hardisty | 1 month extension | Newly appointed Chair unable to take up post | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 49 KB) |
| 22 July 2019 | MOD | Nuclear Defence Safety Committee | Chair | Classified | Classified | Classified | Classified |
| 08 July 2019 | BEIS | Labour Market Enforcement | Director | Matthew Taylor | 12 months | To prevent vacancy on board | Letter (PD, 1 page, 509 KB) |
| 11 June 2019 | WG | Swansea Bay Local University Health Board | Chair | Emma Woollett | 6 months | To allow for competition | Email (PDF, 1 page, 193 KB) |
| 31 May 2019 | WG | Hywel DDA University Health Board | Chair | Judith Hardisty | 2 month extension | Competition delayed | Email (PDF, 1 Page, 182 KB) |
| 31 May 2019 | WG | Hywel DDA University Health Board | Vice-Chair | Paul Newman | 2 month extension | Competition delayed | Email (PDF, 1 page, 182 KB) |
| 08 April 2019 | WG | Hywel DDA University Health Board | Vice-Chair | Paul Newman | 2 months | To allow for competition | Letter (PDF, 1 page, 46 KB) |
2018/19
| Date Approved | Department | Body | Role | Name | Appointment Length | Reason | Correspondence between Commissioner and government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 March 2019 | WG | Hywel DDA University Health Board | Chair | Judith Hardisty | 3 months | To allow for competiton | Letter |
| 04 March 2019 | Home Office | Disclosure and Barring Service | Member | David Banks | 12 months | To allow for competition | |
| 27 February 2019 | DCMS | Royal Armouries | Chair | Hemant Patel | 6 month extension | To allow for competition | |
| 26 February 2019 | NHSI | Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust | NED | Tim Crowley | 12 months | While Trust is dissolved | |
| 26 February 2019 | NHSI | Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust | NED | Hamish Stedman | 12 months | While Trust is dissolved | |
| 26 February 2019 | BEIS | Innovate UK | Chair | Ian Campbell | 9 month extension | To allow for competition | |
| 19 February 2019 | NHSI | Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust | NED | John Willis | 2 month extension | To sign off annual report and accounts | |
| 19 February 2019 | NHSI | Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust | Chair | Jim Potter | 12 months | While Trust is dissolved | |
| 15 February 2019 | DHSC | Human Tissue Authority | Chair | Bill Horne | 5 month extension | To allow for competition | |
| 17 January 2019 | WG | Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales | Chair | Catherine Hardman | 3 months | To allow for competition | Letter |
| 10 January 2019 | DHSC | Human Tissue Authority | Chair | Bill Horne | 3 months | Following the resignation of the existing Chair | |
| 23 November 2018 | BEIS | Science and Technology Facilities Council | Chair | John Loughead | 12 months | While organisation is merged | |
| 19 November 2018 | MHCLG | Building Regulations Advisory Committee | Chair | Emma Clancy | 18 months | Provide stability to board | Letter |
| 16 October 2018 | DCMS | Royal Armouries | Chair | Hemant Patel | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Science and Technology Facilities Council | Member | Sheila Rowen | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Science and Technology Facilities Council | Member | Phillipa Foster | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Medical Research Council | Member | Jill Pell | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Medical Research Council | Member | Munir Pirmohamed | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Medical Research Council | Member | Eleanor Riley | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Medical Research Council | Member | Graham Spittle | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 05 October 2018 | BEIS | Science and Technology Facilities Council | Member | Frances Saunders | 12 months | While board closes down | Letter |
| 03 October 2018 | WG | Natural Resources Wales | Chair | David Henshaw | 12 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 31 August 2018 | MOJ | Prison Service Pay Review Body | Chair | Jerry Cope | 12 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 14 August 2018 | WG | Public Health Wales | NED | Stephen Palmer | 6 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 14 August 2018 | WG | Public Health Wales | NED | Dyfed Edwards | 6 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 27 July 2018 | WG | Welsh Ambulance Service Trust | NED | Martin Turner | 12 months | To allow for competition | Letter |
| 17 July 2018 | DFT | East West Railway Company | Chair | Rob Brighouse | 12 months | To allow board to be established | Letter |
| 13 July 2018 | DWP | Health and Safety Executive | Member | Paul Kenny | 12 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 06 July 2018 | MOJ | Youth Justice Board | Chair | Charlie Taylor | 12 months | Board undergoing substantial change | |
| 06 July 2018 | MHCLG | Housing Ombudsman Service | Housing Ombudsman | Andrea Keenoy | 12 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 22 June 2018 | DFE | Office for Students | Member | Ruth Carlson | 3 months extension | To allow for competition | Letter |
| 20 June 2018 | DFE | Office for Students | Statutory Reviewer | Geraint Jones | 3 months | To allow for competition | Letter |
| 08 June 2018 | DFT | HS2 Ltd Board | NED | Ed Smith | 12 months | Following failed competition | Letter |
| 09 May 2018 | WG | Visit Britain | Welsh Representative | Jason Thomas | 9 months | To allow for competition | Letter |
| 08 May 2018 | NHS Improvement | University Hospitals North Midlands Trust | NED | Jean Challiner | 2 years | Provide stability to board | |
| 08 May 2018 | BEIS | Nuclear Decommission Authority | NED | Laurie Haynes | 12 months | To allow for competition | |
| 04 May 2018 | NHS Improvement | Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust | Chair | David Nicholson | 12 months | Provide stability to board |
2017/18
4 January 2018
Office of Road and Rail: Stephen Glaister
Appointment without Competition Ref 248 (PDF, 2 pages, 103 KB)
8 November 2017
North Bristol NHS Trust: Frank Collins
Appointment without Competition Ref 232 (PDF, 2 pages, 108 KB)
8 November 2017
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust: Aruna Metha
Appointment without Competition Ref 231 (PDF, 2 pages, 114 KB)
28 September 2017
Sport Wales: Lawrence Conway CB (further extension)
Appointment without Competition Ref 175 (PDF, 2 pages, 81 KB)
10 September 2017
Seafish: Brian Young
Appointment without Competition Ref 229 (PDF, 2 pages, 101 KB)
1 September 2017
Youth Justice Board: Bryan Tytherleigh
Appointment without Competition Ref 225 (PDF, 2 pages, 103KB)
19 July 2017
NHS Improvement: Richard Douglas
Appointment without Competition Ref 217 (PDF, 1 page, 97 KB)
30 April 2017
Liverpool Community Health Trust: Robert Beardall
Appointment without Competition Ref 234 (PDF, 2 pages, 105 KB)
28 April 2017
Sport Wales: Julia Longville
Appointment without Competition Ref 215 (PDF, 2 pages, 96 KB)
21 April 2017
Liverpool Community Health Trust: Sir David Henshaw, Dame Jo Williams, Steve Igoe, Anita Marsland
Appointment without Competition Refs 194, 196-198 (PDF, 3 pages, 113KB)
21 April 2017
Youth Justice Board: Alan Wood
Appointment without competition – Ref 200 (PDF, 2 pages, 95 KB)
21 April 2017
Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust: Jim Potter
Appointment without Competition Ref 186 (PDF)
21 April 2017
National Nuclear Laboratory: Claire Flint
Appointment without competition Ref 178 (PDF)
21 April 2017
OFCOM: Nick Pollard
Appointment without competition Ref 180 (PDF)
21 April 2017
Chair of UK Sport: Lis Astall
Appointment without competition Ref 189 (PDF)
21 April 2017
Sianel Pedwar Cymru (S4C): Elan Closs Stephens
Appointment without competition Ref 195 (PDF)
7 April 2017
Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) Kevin Roberts
Appointment without competition Ref 183 (PDF)
23 March 2017
Advisory Panel on Substance Misuse: Richard Ives
Appointment without competition Ref 179 (PDF)
16 March 2017
Pensions Advisory Service: Ann Harris
Appointment without competition Ref 173 (PDF)
24 February 2017
The Youth Justice Board for England & Wales: Mr Charlie Taylor
Appointment without competition Ref 174 (PDF)
16 February 2017
North Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust: Mr Dusty Amroliwala OBE
Appointment without Competition Ref 171 (PDF)
14 February 2017
Sports Wales: Mr Lawrence Conway CB
Appointment without competition Ref 175 (PDF)