Commissioner for Public Appointments - Announcement of Government’s Preferred Candidate
William Shawcross CVO has been confirmed as the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has today confirmed William Shawcross CVO as the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments.
William Shawcross brings with him vast experience and a history of public service. His previous roles include the Chair of the Charity Commission, the Special Representative on UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism, and membership of the UN High Commission for Refugees Informal Advisory Panel.
The recommendation follows a fair and open recruitment process. Pre-appointment scrutiny by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will follow in due course.
The current Commissioner, the Rt Hon Peter Riddell CBE, has held the post since April 2016 and his term will end on 30th September. William is currently undertaking the Independent Review of Prevent and is due to deliver his report to the Home Secretary in September. The Commissioner for Public Appointments role does not start until 1 October.
The Rt Hon Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
I am delighted to confirm William Shawcross as the government’s preferred candidate for the office of Commissioner for Public Appointments. William has all the attributes and experience needed for this important regulatory role that is vital to ensuring confidence in the public appointments made by both the UK and Welsh Governments.
I would like to thank Peter Riddell for his service as Commissioner for Public Appointments and, once again, for agreeing to extend his tenure for a short period.
Following a pre-appointment hearing, PACAC will publish their recommendations, which the government will consider before deciding whether to finalise the appointment.
Notes to Editors:
- William Shawcross was appointed as the Independent Reviewer of Prevent in January this year to undertake a time limited, specific review, independent of the Government.
- He was the Chair of the Charity Commission between 2012 and 2018 and in 2019 became the Special Representative on UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism. His previous roles have included membership of the UN High Commission for Refugees Informal Advisory Panel between 1995 and 2000, and as a member of the Council of the Disasters Emergency Committee, 1997 to 2002.
- He served on the board of the International Crisis Group between 1995 and 2006.
- In April, the Prime Minister extended the term of the Rt Hon Peter Riddell CBE as Commissioner for Public Appointments until 30 September 2021.