Public Appointments Publications
This collection brings together information relating to public appointments.
A public appointment is generally a non-executive appointment made by a minister, the Prime Minister or the King to a board of a public body or office.
Public appointees play an important role in public life on the boards of public bodies and in statutory offices. Public appointments processes are designed to ensure that the best people, from the widest possible pool of candidates, are appointed to these roles.
Regulatory System
The Governance Code on Public Appointments sets out the process and principles that should underpin all public appointments made to bodies listed in the Public Appointments Order in Council. Some appointments are subject to additional safeguards to verify that the recruitment meets the principles set out in the Code. Significant appointments are appointments that must have a Senior Independent Panel Member; Pre-Appointment Scrutiny by select committee applies to specific appointments, against criteria set out in the Cabinet Office Guidance (PDF, 306KB).
Commissioner for Public Appointments
The Commissioner for Public Appointments is the independent regulator for public appointments. The Commissioner provides independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code and with the Principles of Public Appointments: ministerial responsibility, selflessness, integrity, merit, openness, diversity, assurance and fairness. The Commissioner’s functions are set out in the Public Appointments Order in Council.
Information for Candidates
The Cabinet Office publishes advice for candidates on what a public appointment is and how to apply for one.
Code of Conduct for Board Members
The Code of Conduct for Board Members sets out the personal and professional standards expected from non-executive board members of UK public bodies and forms part of their terms of appointment.
Data Reports
Data published by the Cabinet Office on the public appointments landscape, including the diversity of public appointees.