Appointments Commission

Hosted by Whitehall and Westminster World, the Delivering Diversity in Public Appointments event addresses the issue of representation on public boards and the how to address the decline of applicants from non-traditional backgrounds. In anticipation of bold new targets from the Government the conference highlights a number of issues for those who have the responsibility of appointing to public boards, which includes chairs and chief executives, while offering the opportunity to question key policy influencers. Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive at the Appointments Commission, will be delivering a presentation at this event titled ‘High Impact Quick Wins’. The conference is taking place at One Great George Street, London on 23 June 2009. For further information or to book your place at the conference, please visit www.public-appointments.co.uk.

Mike Taylor begins his re-appointment as the Health and Social Care Commissioner for the North West and West Midlands at the Appointments Commission today. Mike, who has been a Commissioner at the Appointments Commission since it was established in 2001, has been reappointed as a result of his exemplary performance and consistently high quality appraisals throughout this time. Press Release

Ann Lloyd has been appointed to the post of Health and Social Care Commissioner for London at the Appointments Commission. Ann will be responsible for ensuring that the best possible people from all sections of our society are recruited to serve as Chairs and Non-Executive Directors on NHS bodies in the Greater London area through a transparent, rigorous and effective selection process. Press Release

The 2009 Chairs Conference was held in London on Wednesday 28 January. It was delivered by The Appointments Commission organised in partnership with the Department of Health, the Strategic Health Authorities, the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, Monitor and the NHS Confederation. Over 300 chairs represented trusts from across England at the conference, which featured an array of excellent speakers and thought provoking debate. The Appointment Commission’s Anne Watts hosted the day and welcomed the speakers to the stage. Delegates heard and had the chance to put their questions to Secretary of State Alan Johnson before the panel discussion with Jonathan Montgomery and Gareth Cruddace (Hampshire PCT) and Jim Martin and Caroline Shaw (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust) facilitated by Chief Executive of the Appointments Commission Andrea Sutcliffe. In the final slot before lunch David Nicholson discussed High Performing Boards: an outward looking leadership community. The afternoon session began with Charles Howeson, Chair of First Great Western sharing a view of a private sector company discussing why top organisations need top boards. The second private sector speaker of the day was Paul Thomas, President of the Nuclear Institute. Drawing on his experience in the Royal Navy and the nuclear industry Paul Thomas discussed how safety culture is influenced by an organisation's values and the behaviours of the Board and Executive. In the final presentation of the day, Nigel Edwards, Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation, looked forward discussing the strategic challenges for boards in the next 12 months. Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive of the Appointments Commission, commented “The day was a great success. We have received lots of positive feedback from delegates who appreciated hearing from the Secretary of State and David Nicholson but also thoroughly enjoyed the insight into effective working relationships between Chairs and Chief Executives and the private sector perspective. We will be pulling together the key issues raised during the day into a report for Ministers.”