Press release

Deep Sagar proposed as the next Social Security Advisory Committee Chair

Deep Sagar has been selected as the Department’s preferred candidate for the role of Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Following an open competition, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, has announced that Deep Sagar has been selected as the Department’s preferred candidate for appointment to the role of Chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee.

The last stage in the recruitment process is a pre-appointment hearing  by the Select Committee for Work and Pensions and this will take place on 30 March. The appointment will be for a period of three years from April 2011.

Iain Duncan Smith said:

I would be delighted to welcome Deep Sagar to this important role. He would bring a wealth of experience and highly relevant skills as we face a period of challenging reform where the input of the Social Security Advisory Committee will be key.

Deep Sagar said:

Social Security is an hugely important subject, more so in these changing times. This role will be a privilege for me, I look forward to working with the Committee.

SSAC is an independent statutory body, formed in 1980, that provides advice to the government, principally on proposals for the amendment of secondary legislation and on more general social security matters as required.

Notes to Editors:

  1. The second term of the current Chair, Sir Richard Tilt, ends on 31 March. In accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice, an open competition was required at the end of his second term in office.
  2. This recruitment exercise was conducted in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.
  3. Under Schedule 5 of the Social Security Admin Act 1992, appointment of the SSAC Chair and Members is made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
  4. The appointment will commence in April 2011, for a period of three years. He will receive £22,000pa for a time commitment of not less than five days per month.
  5. Deep Sagar is currently the Chair of The Leasehold Advisory Service and Chair of Flood Risk Management Wales. Prior to coming into the public and not for profit sector Mr Sagar spent 15 years in senior management roles in the private sector.
  6. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Deep Sagar has declared no political activity.
Published 25 March 2011